Liverpool take on Norwich City on Saturday afternoon in another big game for The Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are fresh off the back of an excellent 2-0 Champions League victory away to Inter Milan. But it’s back to Premier League action and a rare 3pm kick off at Anfield.
Klopp has some decisions to make regarding the line-up. Diogo Jota is currently the only player in his squad sidelined through injury.
But with a game against Leeds United to squeeze in before the Carabao Cup final a week on Sunday, there may be some juggling to do with the squad.
Here’s how we think Liverpool will line up against Norwich tomorrow.
Defence
No need to juggle the goalkeeper. Alisson has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season and his recent form has been exceptional. With a rest on the horizon after Klopp confirmed Caoimhin Kelleher will play the Carabao Cup final, he will play both games before then.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looked a little tired mid-week as Inter’s Ivan Perisic gave him a bit of a run-around. Klopp may be tempted to rest him here but without a clear deputy, we think he’ll play.
At centre-back Virgil Van Dijk will continue his consecutive starts which will stretch to 12 games if he’s included tomorrow. Joe Gomez should get the chance for a first Premier League start of the season next to him.
Ibrahima Konate was brilliant in the San Siro. But Gomez needs some games and a home fixture against a side towards the bottom of the league is a good chance for that.
At left-back Andy Robertson should continue, although expect Kostas Tsimikas to give the 27-year-old a rest for the game against Leeds.
Midfield
Klopp needs to find the balance between allowing players in form to find rhythm and fitness whilst also making sure they are fresh.
Fabinho was taken off with half an hour to play midweek. That should mean that he is expected to go again from the start tomorrow.
In front of him Naby Keita should be given the chance to build on a brilliant half-hour cameo against Inter. The same can be said for Jordan Henderson. The pair changed the game in Liverpool’s favour on Wednesday night and deserve a start against Norwich.
Attack
Klopp admitted that the plan was to rest Sadio Mane last weekend against Burnley. Instead, Liverpool’s £34m man played an hour of that game and a similar amount of time in Milan,. As a result, we think Luis Diaz will start this one on the left.
Jota’s injury will likely mean that Roberto Firmino will come in after his Champions League goal on Wednesday.
Completing the set will be Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian scored his first goal since returning from AFCON in Milan and will be desperate to add to that tomorrow.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Norwich: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Diaz
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