The Liverpool team has been confirmed for today’s crucial Premier League match at Anfield against Manchester City. A few significant decisions have been made by Jürgen Klopp’s team.
For this afternoon’s massive Premier League match at Anfield, Jürgen Klopp has confirmed his squad. As it faces Manchester City, Liverpool will be looking to make a big impression in the title fight.
Prior to the game, Ibrahima Konaté’s fitness was the main source of worry. There was a chance that the defender would be able to play this afternoon, but he pulled up during the second half of Thursday’s Europa League victory over Sparta Prague.
Contrary to expectations, Konaté arrived with some of Liverpool’s injured players earlier and was not included in the matchday squad today. As a result, Klopp has given his team some very important decisions.
Three changes from Thursday’s lineup are made by the Reds manager, including two significant defensive calls. Jarell Quansah starts in the center, Conor Bradley and Virgil van Dijk make a comeback, and Joe Gomez replaces Andy Robertson at left back.
Harvey Elliott moves into the front three while Cody Gakpo is benched, and Dominik Szoboszlai rejoins the midfield. There, Mohamed Salah follows him; following his return from injury, the Egyptian is not considered a risk right away.
This is the confirmed Liverpool lineup against Manchester City: Keleher; Elliott, Núñez, Díaz; Endō, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez.
Even without the title implications, this was Jürgen Klopp’s final season, so the game would have been extremely important. This may be their final meeting, barring the intriguing possibility of a potential FA Cup final matchup in the German’s final-ever Liverpool game. He and Pep Guardiola have defined an era of Premier League and indeed world football.
However, the goal of achieving unparalleled success on the field nearly masks the significance of Klopp’s exit. This fixture is big enough without us thinking that it could be the last meeting between these two legendary rivals. We’ll all process it properly at the end of the season. For now, though, the title race is all that matters.
Two writers from Liverpool.com weighed in on their selections for today’s big match. Examine their squads below to see how they compare with Klopp’s.
Matt Addison-Conor Bradley receives the approval
With the exception of a few crucial choices, the majority of this team chooses itself. Of course, Ibrahima Konaté will participate if he can, but I have a feeling he won’t be able to. If so, Joe Gomez will start in center field and Conor Bradley will start at right back. Andy Robertson ought to be the left back.
I’m going with Wataru Endō at the base and Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister on either side of him because midfield is where Harvey Elliott will be most severely punished. Elliott and Cody Gakpo, who isn’t included in my starting lineup, are excellent reserve players. Their roles are just as important as those of the players who start the game because Liverpool might need them to come on and find a winner or at least a goal.
Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez are currently the first picks for the remaining slots as Mohamed Salah returns to the attack. Gakpo is clearly going to miss out right now, but Diogo Jota would have had a significant say had he been fit.
My starting lineup is as follows: Salah, Núñez, Díaz; End\, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Kelleher
1-1 draw is the anticipated score.
You should keep an eye out for Mohamed Salah’s goal.
Mohamed Salah will return and start for James Martin.
Klopp does have to make a few more decisions than he has in recent weeks, even though the injury list is still close to double digits. Given Konaté’s probable absence, it will be intriguing to observe his strategy for the defensive reorganization.
Joe Gomez could play inside, but his best position is full-back, where he provides some true defensive stability. Guardiola may start Conor Bradley off the bench, but I’d go with the safe option. It’s unclear who he will start on the left because of injuries in that area.
That makes Jarell Quansah the obvious choice to be Virgil van Dijk’s partner, and I have no issues with that decision. He’s shown that he’s prepared for the biggest games. I thought about going with Bradley and Gomez at full-back, but Andy Robertson wins out because of his attacking threat and experience. It’s possible that Andy Robertson has unsettled the defense a little bit in terms of the offside trap breaking down and balls sneaking in behind.
Endō is one of the easiest picks in midfield, which is a credit to him. I would start Szoboszlai from the beginning, but Mac Allister is an automatic starter ahead of him. Though we know what he can do from the bench and he has a ton of recent minutes under his belt, Harvey Elliott has been excellent lately.
That is, for the time being, the strongest-looking trio up top. Salah enjoys playing for Manchester City, Núñez is equipped with everything he needs to cause damage to Guardiola’s team, and Díaz is finally surrounded by more experienced players.
My starting eleven: Salah, Núñez, Díaz; Endō, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Kelleher
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-2.
One thing to keep an eye out for: Núñez will test Manchester City’s seemingly weak high line.
