Liverpool return to action just three days on from winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley.
Tonight sees the return of the FA Cup and another trip to Anfield for Norwich City.
The two teams clashed just 11 days ago. Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners in that one. But the Liverpool line-up could look a little bit different for tonight’s game.
Jurgen Klopp saw his players come out on top after an exhausting game against Chelsea was settled on penalties.
Thiago Alcantara was the only player to come away from Wembley with a fresh injury issue. But the physical and mental toll, as well as the meeting with West Ham United on Saturday, mean that Klopp is likely to shuffle his pack for this one.
Here’s how we think Liverpool will line up against Norwich tonight.
Defence
The manager has a decision to make with his goalkeeper. Klopp has already confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher will be left out here after his heroics on Sunday.
That could open the door for either Adrian or 19-year-old Marcelo Pitaluga to start. But we think the boss will stick with Alisson to shore up what could be a much changed back line.
At right-back we think Klopp will have to go with James Milner. There’s simply no way Trent Alexander-Arnold will be risked and as Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip could do with a rest, Joe Gomez will be needed at centre-back.
Gomez, who Klopp has previously called a ‘sensational footballer’ via liverpoolfc.com, was once again overlooked for the last matchday squad.
Alongside Gomez, Ibrahima Konate should be given another chance to impress. The 22-year-old only played extra-time on Sunday and will be riding high after winning his first trophy for Liverpool.
Kostas Tsimikas is a shoo-in at left-back having sat out the entirety of the final.
Midfield
After Thiago suffered another set-back, Klopp’s options look a little more limited in midfield.
Curtis Jones was left out of the matchday squad for the final entirely. The 21-year-old will see himself as having a point to prove and should get an opportunity to assert himself tonight.
Another who was initially left out at Wembley was Harvey Elliott. But Thiago’s pre-game injury meant that he was moved into the squad last minute.
The 18-year-old even got on during the match before burying a penalty during the shootout. He should get more time to show off his talents against Norwich.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should add some more seniority to a young looking Liverpool midfield. The £35m man is another who didn’t get off the bench at the weekend.
Attack
Klopp’s attacking options will all be needed over the coming weeks as the games pile up.
Given that Liverpool will prioritise the Premier League and Champions League, tonight could see a return for some of the more fringe players in the German’s squad.
With that in mind, we think he’ll surely go with both Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino, who scored in the last round.
The third spot should be taken by Sadio Mane. Klopp may be tempted to put Diogo Jota in to regain some match sharpness. But we don’t think he’ll risk the Portuguese’s fitness.
Mane was the first to be withdrawn on Sunday and judging by his far-from-pleased reaction, he’ll be chomping at the bit to get back out there.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Norwich City: Alisson; Milner, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas; Jones, Elliott, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Minamino, Origi, Mane
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