Klopp recalls ‘underrated’ player and backs his £34m star: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Manchester City

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Here’s our predicted Liverpool lineup vs Manchester City this weekend. The Reds go into the biggest game of their season.

It’s Manchester City vs Liverpool on Sunday – a massive Premier League clash. The winner comes away as title favourites, while the loser gives up control of their fate.

In fact, Liverpool won’t be too thrilled with a draw here. That result wouldn’t be a disaster but they still wouldn’t have things in their hands, relying on City to slip up down the line. A win is what the Reds will go for – and it sounds as though Jurgen Klopp is ready for it.

But what XI should he pick to get that win? Here’s the Liverpool lineup we expect to take to the pitch at the Etihad Stadium.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Manchester City

Defence

Relatively routine here. Alisson certainly starts in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready at right-back and Andy Robertson plays on the left. Virgil van Dijk is a certainty, too, of course.

His partner will almost certainly be Joel Matip. He didn’t play in Lisbon against Benfica, presumably to save him for this one. Liverpool’s undisputed best back five here.

Midfield

Fabinho definitely plays in the holding role. That’s the only absolute guarantee – presuming he’s fit after that head clash in midweek.

As for his two midfield partners, we imagine it’ll be Thiago and Jordan Henderson. Thiago is currently playing very well and staying fit. We imagine Klopp will want his passing in the Liverpool side as it gives the Reds their best chance of controlling the game.

And Henderson just has to come back in for this one after starting on the bench against Benfica. The ‘underrated’ captain, in the words of Van Dijk, is the team’s leader and Liverpool are simply much harder to beat when he’s there. This midfield is one that offers a bit of everything – exactly what the Reds need.

Attack

Mohamed Salah hasn’t scored from open play since February 19th but there’s no chance he starts on the bench here. The Egyptian plays from the right and everyone can cross their fingers that he returns to form on Sunday.

Now, Klopp almost certainly gave a clue against Benfica to Salah and Sadio Mané both starting as neither played more than an hour. The question is whether he goes with Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota as the central star – both came off the bench in midweek.

Liverpool are a slightly different side depending on that choice. Firmino offers more control with the ball, while Jota increases the goal threat. We imagine Klopp will go for Jota but you can probably flip a coin on this one.