Liverpool take on Cardiff in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon. The Reds are back in action after a two-week mini-break which has seen some faces return to fitness and one new member added to the squad.
That makes predicting this side slightly tricky. Liverpool have a busy period coming up, with February seeing the return of the Champions League as well as the Carabao Cup final.
With options now returning to him, Jurgen Klopp could go with a strong side to shake off any rustiness the break may have caused.
But he could also rest a few against what should be “weaker” opposition.
Here’s how we think Liverpool will line up against Cardiff.
Defence
Providing there are no unexpected injury updates, Caoimhin Kelleher will definitely start in goal.
In front of him we expect to see Trent Alexander-Arnold given the afternoon off as Conor Bradley looks to capitalise on Neco Williams’ deadline day departure.
Joe Gomez has stayed at Liverpool despite rumours of a mid-season exit and it would be good for him to feel included here. Alongside him should be Ibrahima Konate as Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk are rested for bigger battles ahead.
At left-back it would be a surprise not to see Kostas Tsimikas.
Midfield
This is where it starts to get tricky for Klopp. For the first time in a long while he has options in midfield. Thiago has returned to training following seven weeks out. But the manager said today that the 30-year-old had picked up a chest infection and had to “step aside a little bit again” (Liverpool Echo).
Naby Keita has also returned after excelling for Guinea at AFCON. Klopp said in his pre-match press conference that the 26-year-old is ready to play and he’ll surely start here.
Joining him as Liverpool’s wider midfielders should be Curtis Jones. The 21-year-old was in good form before the break and Liverpool could use his creativity to break down Cardiff.
Fabinho is too important to the side to be risked from the start here so we think Jordan Henderson will be asked to shield the defence as the deepest of the midfield three.
Attack
In theory Luis Diaz is available for Liverpool on Sunday. But as of Friday morning we’re yet to receive confirmation that he’s arrived at the AXA Training Centre, so we don’t think he’ll play here.
Instead, we think that after recently impersonating Mohamed Salah on the right-side, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will now be given the chance to imitate Sadio Mane on the left.
Diogo Jota should be rested and Takumi Minamino has been away with Japan. So we think Kaide Gordon will get another chance to impress on the right, with Roberto Firmino playing through the middle.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Cardiff: Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas; Henderson, Keita, Jones; Gordon, Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain
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