Liverpool have returned to England to continue preparations for their return to action next Thursday.
The Reds played two friendly games during their training camp in Dubai, losing to Lyon before beating AC Milan on Friday night.
The two games gave an insight into how Jurgen Klopp will line his team up against Manchester City. With World Cup players now due to return, these plans could still alter ever so slightly.
With all that in mind, here’s the XI we’re currently expecting Klopp to put out at the Etihad Stadium.
Defence
Alisson Becker is set to return to training this week, but even if the No.1 was 100% available, Caoimhin Kelleher would start this one. The Carabao Cup is his competition after all.
At right-back, Klopp has intimated that Trent Alexander-Arnold could be ready to face City. Having barely played at the World Cup, we think the manager will chuck him straight back in here.
The Athletic have already reported that Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are likely to partner up at centre-back for this one. We’re not going to argue with that. Meanwhile, Andy Robertson should complete what’s a strong looking back line for Liverpool.
Midfield
As ever, picking a midfield for Liverpool is pretty difficult right now. In any other Carabao Cup fourth round game, you’d probably say that Thiago Alcantara should be rested at all costs. But we think he has to play here.
The fit again Naby Keita could come into contention, but we’re going for Klopp to choose James Milner as Thiago’s partner in the middle.
Attack
Assuming that Klopp perseveres with the 4-4-2 system seen before the break, he’s currently two attackers down. We’re going to have to keep getting used to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota being out of action.
There are a few players who can step in, though. One of those is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Having worked his way back to fitness, we think Ox will be given just his second start of the season against City. Andy Robertson has previously hailed his work ethic as being ‘unbelievable’ and he’ll need all of that at the Etihad.
With Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left, Harvey Elliott should be given license to roam from the right.
Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino through the middle make up a mightily strong Liverpool team. But with City desperately short of players, the Reds have got to make the most of their slight advantage.
Early Liverpool predicted XI vs Man City: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Thiago, Milner; Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain
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