LIVERPOOL VS LEEDS UNITED: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool are in action tomorrow night when they take on Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United at Anfield for a 19:45 BST kickoff. The Reds are coming off the back of a 3-0 victory in Amsterdam and will be looking to get their Premier League campaign back on track. Here’s the predicted lineup.

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It’s a swift turnaround from the Champions League victory over Ajax. The team news update was a positive one from the manager however, as he confirmed Henderson and Thiago should both be available tomorrow.

The skipper came off after a clash of knees on Wednesday night whilst Thiago has been out for a week due to an ear infection. This is a huge boost ahead of what is sure to be another tough test. The manager will have a a decision to make on the formation first and foremost.

The 4-4-2 has served the side well since it was introduced seven matches ago. Jürgen Klopp tweaked it to a diamond setup in Amsterdam and you’d expect him to stick to it after that impressive result. There could be one or two changes in personnel though in an aim to keep players fresh.

In goal will be Alisson Becker. The Brazilian earned his 90th clean sheet on Wednesday night in what was his 200th appearance for the club since joining from AS Roma for a then world record fee. What a signing he’s been!

In the backline, Konaté is fit and available and could come in for Gomez but the manager could decide to go same again as he searches for stability and consistency. He’s had to chop and change way too often due to injury and could view this as an opportunity to field a settled back five.

Gomez and Van Dijk have started each of the last four together and kept three clean sheets, conceding just once. They’ve continued their title winning partnership and will likely get another outing here. This would Ibou will have to wait till Tuesday against Napoli for a start.

It’s a straightforward choice in midfield. Thiago goes straight back into the side. There’s a stark difference between a Liverpool team with the Spaniard patrolling the midfield and one without. He was sorely missed at Forest last week.

He will almost certainly be joined by the skipper. Hendo played off the left of the diamond in Amsterdam but will be reigned in here to sit at the base. His sumptuous assist for Salah turned the tie in the Reds’ favour as he reminded everyone of his ability on the ball.

Fabinho is enduring a rough season thus far, looking short of the levels he’s previously set. He’s one that could use a breather. On the right, 19 year old Harvey Elliott might also be rotated. The youngster has featured in every single game this campaign.

He netted a second consecutive Champions League goal but looked knackered when he was taken off against Ajax. He’s worked his socks off recently, with his defensive contributions improving vastly. In his stead, you’d expect Curtis Jones to get the nod.

The 21 year old has featured in each of the last three games after recovering from injury. He’s developed into a tactically malleable midfielder and should have no problems playing on the right of a midfield diamond. He will have a point to prove as well having missed most of the season.

In attack, we could see Firmino handed a rest. The Brazilian has started each of the last five and was top for distance covered on Wednesday night. Should he be rotated out of the side, Carvalho could take his place.

The teenager could thrive at the tip of the diamond. Admittedly, he has to work on the physical side of the game as he’s been bullied at times this season. That will come with time and experience though. Up top, Salah and Darwin should pair up again in what is an exciting budding partnership.

The beauty of this lineup is it could easily transition to a 4-3-3. The personnel picked are all capable of adjusting to both systems. It also means Bobby and Harvey get a breather whilst offering potent options off the bench at the same time.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Thiago, Jones, Carvalho, Salah, Darwin.

Subs: Kelleher, Ramsay, Konaté, Tsimikas, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Elliott, Firmino.