LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool take on league leaders Arsenal at Anfield tomorrow (15:30 GMT kickoff), with a chance to have a major say in the title race. Whilst it isn’t the position the Reds want to be in, it is where they’ve left themselves. Here’s how Jürgen Klopp could line his side up for the encounter.

For a match preview, you can head over here.

The manager in his pre-match press conference confirmed the possible return to fitness of Spanish maestro Thiago Alcantara. There’s been reports in some quarters that the midfielder could go straight into the lineup but that’s a tad optimistic.

He has been out the best part of two months after all. Luis Diaz on the other hand has been slated for a potential return at Leeds next week as the club seeks to be as sensible as possible with him. The manager made half a dozen changes last time out, but did any of those changes stake a claim for tomorrow?

In goal, Alisson Becker will continue. Despite the side’s best efforts, the Brazilian managed to keep his 11th clean sheet of the campaign. That incredibly puts him just two away from the top of the Golden Glove standings (David De Gea and Nick Pope – 13).

He’s the best in the world for a reason and has shown it time and again this campaign. Hopefully he can move level on clean sheets with the man in sticks for Arsenal tomorrow. Helping him in that regard will be the returning Van Dijk.

The Dutchman was ruled out of the trip to Chelsea due to illness but that is just code for being dropped. He had an absolutely torrid time of things at the Etihad last time out and has endured what has been a truly underwhelming campaign.

Tomorrow is a chance for him to remind everyone why he’s widely viewed as the best centre back of his generation. Alongside him, Joe Gomez could well be handed his first start at centre back since the debacle at home to Real Madrid. Gomez was the pick of the back four at Stamford Bridge after all.

He played at right back but Trent is expected to be restored to the lineup. Konaté has been the one constant in the heart of defence lately but he didn’t exactly inspire confidence on Tuesday night.  Jürgen absolutely loves a redemption story so I expect Gomez to be handed another chance here. 

Alongside a returning Trent will be a returning Andy Robertson. The two fullbacks will no doubt have their hands full trying to keep Martinelli and Saka respectively under wraps. That particular battle will go a long way in deciding where the three points will go.

In the middle of the park, Fabinho and Henderson are almost default picks. Not because they’ve been brilliant, far from it, but simply because there are no alternatives the manager trusts. Arthur has been on the bench the last couple of games but hasn’t seen a single minute of action.

James Milner at 37 years of age shouldn’t really be expected to keep starting games in midfield, and with Thiago not ready to go straight in the lineup (and Keita perennially injured), it leaves the uninspiring duo as automatic picks.

Curtis Jones was the pick of the midfield last time out and could keep his place. Harvey Elliott is also in contention after being an unused substitute at Chelsea. That marked the first time this campaign that the 20 year old has not been featured in a game. The third slot is a toss up between the two.

Upfront, we should see Cody Gakpo restored to the lineup. Firmino will be the one to make way, with the Brazilian still working his way back to full sharpness after injury. Darwin and Salah will then take up the wide positions to complete the attack.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Elliott, Henderson, Salah, Gakpo, Darwin.

Subs: Kelleher, Konaté, Tsimikas, Milner, Thiago, Arthur, Jones, Jota, Firmino.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus.