The wait is finally over, Reds. Liverpool are back in action tomorrow!
It has felt an age since the 3-1 win over Southampton brought the curtain down on the first half of the season. Since then, seven Liverpool players have seen their World Cup dreams fall apart to various degrees.
The rest of the squad meanwhile have kept their eye in during a fitness camp in Dubai. Two friendly games were navigated with only Luis Diaz picking up a fresh injury concern. That will rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Manchester City as well as the subsequent three months.
So, with Diaz definitely out, and doubts over a few of the World Cup player’s participation, here’s how we expect Liverpool to line up at the Etihad.
Defence
There’s no doubt over who’ll be keeping goal tomorrow. The Carabao Cup is Caoimhin Kelleher’s competition. With Alisson Becker only returning at the start of this week, the stage is set for the Irishman to defend the cup he won last year.
In-front of him should be a very strong Liverpool back-line. There have been reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to play having barely featured at the World Cup. We think Jurgen Klopp will want to get some football in his legs. Trent starts.
Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are set to partner up at centre-back with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate not in training just yet. Andy Robertson has joined those two for the entirety of Liverpool’s Dubai training camp and should start here.
Midfield
Assuming Klopp decides to stick with the 4-4-2 that gave Man City such problems in October, there isn’t a lot of margin for error in the midfield.
As a result, Thiago Alcantara has to start. Both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have been away in Qatar, while Naby Keita won’t yet be fit to start. With such strong opposition, on paper anyway, Liverpool need Thiago.
Next to him we expect to see Klopp make something of a controversial call. 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic started in the last round against Derby County and we think he’ll do so again here. The Spaniard played 70 minutes of Liverpool’s friendly with AC Milan on Friday. As good an indication as any that he’s set for immediate further game time.
Attack
With two in midfield, that leaves four in Liverpool’s attack. Robbed of the chance of fielding both Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, Klopp’s options are limited.
Subsequently, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino simply have to make up 50 per cent of the forward line against City. No other choice, really.
Darwin Nunez picked up where he left off on Friday, slotting two good goals against Milan. That should be enough to get him a start from the left tomorrow night.
Capping off the front four is likely to be Harvey Elliott, who will take up his usual spot on the right. Come on Liverpool!
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Man City: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Thiago, Bajcetic; Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Nunez
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