LIVERPOOL VS EVERTON: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool host Everton tomorrow afternoon with the chance to cut the gap to City back down to a single point. The Citizens thrashed Watford 5-1 this afternoon to move 4 points clear. Here’s the predicted lineup for what is sure to be a hotly contested Merseyside derby.

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Jürgen Klopp has almost a fully fit squad available with only Roberto Firmino struggling for fitness. The Brazilian sustained a foot injury at Wembley and missed Tuesday’s win over Manchester United.

The injury isn’t thought to be serious however, and Bobby should be back for Villareal on Wednesday. With a five day break between the United game and this, Jürgen Klopp will have a fresh side ready to go again.

The manager will be aware of the tight turnaround between Villareal on Wednesday night and Newcastle at 12:30pm (BST) on Saturday. Whether he will pick the side tomorrow with that in mind remains to be seen.

He has form for picking hugely rotated sides at home to Everton, but with the stake so high, he might want to keep the changes to a minimum. The wholesale changes would then be saved for the trip to Saint James Park to face a rejuvenated Newcastle.

In goal tomorrow will be Alisson Becker. The Brazilian is in the race for the Golden Glove and has the chance to move past compatriot Ederson Moraes if he helps the side keep a clean sheet. Liverpool haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of the last three derbies though.

In defence, I reckon there will be one change at fullback. The manager wouldn’t want to rotate both fullbacks at Newcastle so giving one a breather here makes sense. In that case, Tsimikas could come in for Robertson at left back.

Kostas was Man of the Match last time out and is more than a dependable backup. Alexander-Arnold will then line up at right back alongside the usual centre back partnership of Matip and Van Dijk. Gomez is also an option if the gaffer would rather hold Trent back and not Robbo.

In midfield, the Fabinho – Henderson tandem will likely start together again. Thiago could then be saved for the semi final first leg tie against Villareal. He has been in sensational form recently and will have to be protected.

He suffered an injury against Everton last season after being on the receiving end of a horrendous challenge from Richarlison. In his stead, Naby Keita should step in. He’s also been in great form recently and looks in the best physical shape I can ever remember since he joined.

Other options available to the manager are Curtis Jones and James Milner. Oxlade-Chamberlain and Harvey Elliott have not started a league game for a while and might not even make the matchday squad.

The midfield is where most of the action will be, with a few strong challenges to be expected. The trio of Fabinho, Henderson and Keita have enough about them to win that physical battle and then let their superior quality shine through.

In attack, the manager might want to make one change to freshen things up. Jota has been left out of the starting XI in the last two games and could come back in here. Luis Diaz continues to dazzle every time he steps out in red and will likely get the nod on Wednesday night.

Diogo scored in the reverse fixture and has the extra needle that occasions like this require. Mané and Salah will complete the front three with Sadio continuing in the false nine role and Diogo lining up on the left.

There will of course be a lots of positional switches within the game. Divock Origi will also make the matchday squad in Firmino’s absence, and you can never rule out one last Origi moment against Everton who are his favourite opponents.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Mané, Jota.

Subs: Kelleher, Konaté, Gomez, Robertson, Milner, Thiago, Jones, Diaz, Origi.