Liverpool take on Manchester City on Sunday evening in a must-win game for the Reds.
Fresh off the back of a much-needed 7-1 win over Rangers in midweek, Liverpool desperately need back-to-back victories.
The gap between the two teams currently stands at 13 points. If City can add further daylight to that at Anfield, then Liverpool can well and truly kiss their title hopes goodbye.
Should Jurgen Klopp’s side pull off an upset, they might fancy themselves to be just about still in with a shout. It’s a huge game for Liverpool, here’s how we think they’ll line up.
Defence
One of Liverpool’s best players this season, Alisson Becker doesn’t have to worry about his place in the team. If all else fails, at least Reds fans know they can usually count on the big Brazilian.
Ahead of him things could look a little different tomorrow. We already knew that both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip would miss the game. But news has now arrived that Ibrahima Konate is looking likely to have to sit out, too.
That would mean that Klopp has little leeway with his back four. As a result, it looks like James Milner will start at right-back next to Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk.
Now back to full fitness, Andy Robertson should return to complete the defence.
Midfield
For so long, we’ve been used to predicting Liverpool will play with a three-man midfield. It hasn’t even been up for discussion, that’s just what Liverpool do.
At the moment though, it’s tricky to tell what Klopp’s going to do. That’s probably a good thing, Liverpool had become far too predictable in the way they wanted to play.
If we’re not sure, it likely means that Pep Guardiola isn’t sure, either. Pep may think otherwise, but we’re predicting Klopp to go bold and keep his new 442 system here.
It has worked relatively well for Liverpool and they look much more threatening with a two-man midfield at the moment. Perhaps it’s suicide, but we’re going for Klopp to return the ‘unbelievable’ Thiago Alcantara to the line-up alongside Fabinho. Why not?
Attack
That means Liverpool will have an extra man in attack. And with Luis Diaz now injured, this quartet rather picks itself.
Mohamed Salah has to start against one of his favourite opposition. Darwin Nunez should also get the go-ahead after building a bit of a head of steam for himself, while Roberto Firmino is the man in form.
In Diaz’s absence on the left, the only man for the job is Diogo Jota. The Portuguese is still looking for his first goal of the season and tomorrow would be a great time to get it.
Too attacking? Maybe, but in Liverpool’s situation, they simply have to win the game. Take the game to their visitors and see if they can handle it. If we’re going down in this title race, we’re going down fighting.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Man City: Alisson; Milner, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Nunez, Jota
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