Liverpool are finally back in Premier League action tomorrow for the first time since March 16th.
Third bottom Watford are the visitors at Anfield for a 12.30 kick-off. As they are playing before Manchester City this weekend, Liverpool can go top of the league with a win.
It’s the start of a hectic and crucial month for The Reds. They need to make sure they kick it off with a win. Here’s how we think Jurgen Klopp will line his team up.
Defence
One of the Liverpool players to be heavily involved during the international break was Alisson Becker. The 29-year-old played 180 minutes for Brazil. Alisson was largely untroubled and hopefully that will continue tomorrow, too.
Klopp confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Trent Alexander-Arnold won’t be ready in time for this one. A decision will need to be made over who takes his place.
We think Klopp is likely to keep faith with Joe Gomez after his encouraging performance against Nottingham Forest.
Klopp will be pleased to have the option to give the 24-year-old more game time after calling him ‘incredible’ via liverpoolfc.com earlier in the season.
At centre-back we see no reason why Klopp won’t pick his favoured duo of Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk.
Andy Robertson is fit again after a positive Covid test and will take his place at left-back.
Midfield
Another Brazilian red, Fabinho, was also involved more than usual for his country. Klopp needs him to play in as many games as possible this month, starting tomorrow.
Thiago Alcantara was left out of Spain’s squad entirely and should be fresh to go play from the start here. But with Tuesday’s game against Benfica on the horizon, we think Klopp might opt to go with Curtis Jones at Anfield instead.
The midfield will be completed by the captain. Jordan Henderson didn’t play in England’s second game of the break and will be raring to go against Watford.
Attack
Liverpool have all their attacking options now fit and available for the season finale. Roberto Firmino was the only one not away with his nation this time, and can therefore expect to start tomorrow.
All of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota were heavily involved for their countries.
With Salah keen to get his World Cup heartbreak out of his system, it’s likely that he’s in from the start against Watford. Finally, we think Mane will get the nod fresh off the back of success with Senegal.
Jota will be riding high too after qualifying with Portugal. But the £41m man wasn’t long since injured, so we think Klopp will give him a rest.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Watford: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane
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