Seventeen days on from their defeat against Real Madrid, Liverpool are back in action on Saturday.
The 1-0 loss in Spain was a painful one that supporters will have been trying to wipe from their collective memory ever since. Unfortunately, the task doesn’t get any easier for the Reds, as a trip to the Etihad looms this weekend.
With their Champions League fate now decided, full focus is on qualifying for the competition next season. There’s no playing it down here. This is an enormous week for Liverpool. Here’s the XI we think will kick it off in Manchester.
Defence
Strangely not called up for international duty with Brazil, Alisson Becker should be well rested for a face-off with countryman Ederson. He may be needed even more than usual.
In-front of him will be another not called up for their country last week. Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly used the time off to put in the work on the training pitch. Let’s hope it shows come Saturday lunchtime.
Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk may have played 360 minutes between them since last Thursday, but they’re Liverpool’s best centre-back pairing. They’ll both go again here. Finally, Andy Robertson is, as most weeks, a shoo-in at left-back.
Midfield
If picking the defence is a straightforward task for Jurgen Klopp, then the midfield certainly isn’t. Still without Thiago Alcantara, any combination available doesn’t really look strong enough to match City.
As a result, we think Klopp will simply revert to what he knows. James Milner is often trusted to do a job against his former employers and just like he did last time out at the Santiago Bernabeu, we think he’ll start here.
This time, we expect him to be joined by his mate Jordan Henderson. Looking good for England last weekend, it looks as though the skipper has shaken off his illness complaints.
That’s hardly an inspiring midfield for such a big game. Depending on which version of himself turns up, Fabinho can either make or break that. Let’s hope he’s in the mood for a big performance because he might well need one.
Attack
After five months of injury wreckage, Klopp should finally have all six of his top-class options available on Saturday. As ever, Mohamed Salah will start on the right, looking to do ever more damage against City.
Although illness played havoc with international window, it looks like Cody Gakpo is back to full health. After some excellent form recently, he deserves to start against the champions.
On the left is where Klopp has to make the big call. Liverpool have finally been buoyed today by the excellent news that Luis Diaz has finally returned to full team training.
With the Reds missing him immensely since his injury in October, there might be a temptation to throw him straight back in. But Liverpool need to be very careful. He should be on the bench and no more.
As for Darwin Nunez, he’s also been struggling with a little knock and didn’t play for Uruguay. But the 23-year-old was another spotted back in training today. We expect he’ll get the nod. With Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino also able to be called upon, Liverpool aren’t lacking in fire power. Looking at that midfield, they’re going to need it.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Manchester City: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
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