The 2022/23 Premier League season comes to a close tomorrow, with Liverpool taking on Southampton on the South Coast.
With the Reds rooted to fifth position and Saints confirmed as finishing bottom of the table, there’s absolutely nothing riding on the game.
As a result, we may see a much-rotated Liverpool side, with one or two afforded a final chance to make their mark at the club. So, for one last time in this strange old campaign, here’s the XI we expect Jurgen Klopp to put out tomorrow.
Defence
For only the second time in his Liverpool career, Alisson Becker should end the season having played in every Premier League game. There’s perhaps a slight chance that Klopp goes with Caoimhin Kelleher for a potential goodbye appearance, but we think Ali will get the nod.
At right-back, we expect to see Trent Alexander-Arnold continue in his hybrid midfield role. The more practice he gets the better ahead of next season.
Beside Trent, we think Joel Matip will come in after Klopp confirmed Ibrahima Konate missed part of the week’s training with illness. Virgil van Dijk is likely to continue next to Matip, with Kostas Tsimikas set to step in for the injured Andy Robertson.
Midfield
Liverpool’s midfield has been tough to predict all season long. And that remains the case right up until the last. Come the first day of next season, this area of the team may look very different.
For now though, we think Klopp will keep things relatively similar, with Fabinho and Curtis Jones continuing from last week.
In the third slot, we think there may be a change, though. Owing to the dead-rubber nature of the game, we think Jurgen will give Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain one last chance in a Liverpool shirt. With tomorrow his last ever chance to be in a Reds squad, it would be nice to see the £35m man get a proper opportunity to make a contribution. We’ve got a feeling we may see Arthur from the bench at some stage, too.
Attack
Against Villa last time out, Liverpool’s attack looked a little cumbersome, with Luis Diaz still not quite up to speed following his injury.
Darwin Nunez is back in training, and Klopp has the option to throw the Uruguayan back in. But we think he’ll go with Diogo Jota on the left, as he looks to end a difficult campaign on a high.
Alongside Jota, Mohamed Salah is certain to start, despite some rotation throughout the team. Meanwhile, we expect to see Roberto Firmino afforded a final ever start before his summer exit.
What a tricky, tricky season it’s been. With everything already confirmed and boxed off in terms of league position, let’s still make sure we end things on a high.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Southampton: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Jota
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