Liverpool are back in action this weekend! After the World Cup quarter finals, the big games keep coming as the Reds take on Lyon this Sunday afternoon.
Okay, maybe we’re over egging it a bit. But how good is it to know we’ll be able to watch Liverpool play in just a couple of days?!
It has been almost a month since we last saw the Reds in action. That came via a 3-1 win over Southampton. With several of the players on the team sheet that day now away at the World Cup, Jurgen Klopp will pick a different XI this time.
The likes of Luis Diaz and Naby Keita have now returned to training, giving Klopp some new options. But will he use them? Here’s what we think.
Defence
With Alisson Becker away trying to win the World Cup with Brazil, Caoimhin Kelleher should be brought in to start in goals here.
In-front of him looks set to be a relatively unfamiliar defence. Calvin Ramsay should take the place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who continues to warm the bench for England.
Klopp’s first choice defensive partnership is also unavailable for this one. As a result, we think he’ll go with Joe Gomez and the fit-again Joel Matip.
At left-back, Andy Robertson should be the only member of Liverpool’s current best back five to start.
Midfield
It will be interesting to see what Liverpool do in the middle of the park on Sunday. Two of their usual starters are absent, and with Naby Keita only just returning to training, we don’t think he’ll be ready.
So, the only certainty should be that Thiago Alcantara will play. Beyond that, it’s pretty much anybody’s guess.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be an option having got a little game time of late. Stefan Bajcetic is also with the first team and may have his eyes on a start.
We think Klopp will keep it simple, though, and turn to the tried-and-trusted James Milner.
Attack
Sticking with the relatively successful 4-4-2 formation that they utilised before the break, we think Jurgen will play Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho as the two wide men.
Without Darwin Nunez, the manager’s decision will be made for him, with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino starting up top.
The game may perhaps come just a little early for Luis Diaz. There has been reports that the Colombian will feature across the two scheduled friendlies, though. So, maybe we’ll see him emerge from the bench at some stage. How exciting!
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Lyon: Kelleher; Ramsay, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Thiago, Milner; Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Carvalho
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