Here’s our predicted lineup for Liverpool vs Southampton on Saturday. The Reds could name their strongest XI of the season.
Liverpool head into this one in good spirits. They tore apart Arsenal at the weekend before a very solid win over Porto on Wednesday.
The latter ended up being a near-perfect night, with the Reds avoiding injuries, bringing back some from knocks, and putting in a good display. That’ll boost confidence.
And so Jurgen Klopp actually has a very good squad to choose from here. We saw Andy Robertson and Jordan Henderson both come off the bench against Porto, suggesting they’re ready for this one.
The only real question is who plays up top – can Diogo Jota be fit in time? Klopp says he got a ‘proper knock’ against Arsenal.
But there is another consideration here. Liverpool play Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday and will want their best XI there. It’s tempting, then, to rest against the Saints.
We think Klopp may see the following games against Wolves and AC Milan as the ideal times to rotate, however. He can essentially mix things up in those two games to gives a week off to certain players.
Thus we’ve predicted a strong XI for Saturday and Wednesday. Time to continue this momentum.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Southampton
Defence
Liverpool’s defence looks stronger than ever right now and we think it’ll be the best available here. Alisson in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk in the middle.
And despite Kostas Tsimikas shining in recent games, Robertson will surely come back in. He looked very sharp against Porto – almost like he has competition for his place.
Midfield
Fabinho and Henderson didn’t start vs Porto but we expect them to, here. We also wouldn’t leave out Thiago who is absolutely flying right now.
That gives us a ‘dream’ midfield – Fabinho, Henderson & Thiago. It’s one we haven’t really seen very often because of injury concerns.
But it makes sense to play it here and see what they can do. It’s a magnificent trio and gives Liverpool their strongest XI of the season, with first-choices all over the pitch.
Attack
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane feel like certainties after going off early vs Porto. That just leaves the centre-forward role and we expect Jota to play.
Yes, he picked up a knock last weekend but he trained on Thursday. That gives us confidence that he’ll be okay.
Predicted XI vs Southampton
Alisson
Alexander-Arnold – Matip – Van Dijk – Robertson
Fabinho
Henderson – Thiago
Salah – Jota – Mane
That, for us, is the strongest XI Liverpool can put out – with debate over Jota or Firmino. We haven’t seen it so far this season but, fingers crossed, Saturday is finally the time.
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