Klopp includes ‘excellent’ player in brave decision: Our Predicted Liverpool XI vs Manchester City

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Here’s our predicted Liverpool lineup to face Manchester City in the FA Cup tomorrow. The Reds may make a very brave decision.

Well, the fixture list just won’t ease up. It was Benfica, then it was Manchester City, then it was Benfica and now it’s City again. Jurgen Klopp has done remarkably well to manage his squad up to this point – though, the 3-1 lead in the Champions League helped matters.

Klopp rotated heavily in midweek and, we think, hinted strongly at his team for the game on Saturday. In all but one position, that is.

Liverpool vs Manchester City

Defence

Alisson Becker will start in goal – no doubts there. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson all sat out Wednesday’s game, meaning they’ll certainly start here, too.

That just leaves one big question: the other centre-back. All three of Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate played the 90s minutes against Benfica. None will be entirely fresh to face City, then.

So we think Liverpool might pick Konate. It just seems like a big ask of Matip to play three full 90s in a week but there’s a tactical consideration, too. City kept playing long against the Reds’ high line and the more athletic Konate might handle that better.

He was ‘excellent’, in Jamie Carragher’s words, against Inter recently. We think Liverpool might start him at Wembley.

Midfield

Same again – and that will be a theme here. Both Thiago and Fabinho started on the bench against Benfica and only played for 30 minutes. Similarly, Jordan Henderson started against both City and Benfica but went off early in both fixtures.

So we think Liverpool will start the same trio as they did at the Etihad. It’s the most well-rounded, experienced three they have and it does make sense to stick with them while they’re fit.

Attack

Again, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané were on the bench against Benfica so that effectively confirms they’re starting. Not that we’d expect any less for the duo.

Beyond that is a little less clear. Both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino started at Anfield but Jota went off first. That’s likely a hint that he’ll get the nod again at Wembley for Liverpool.

But it’s not exactly a guarantee. Klopp could go with either centre-forward and shine against City. We’ll opt for Jota but it’s close.