Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Fulham: Jurgen Klopp makes Ryan Gravenberch decision, 24-year-old dropped

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Liverpool need a win to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday.

Arsenal beating Wolves earlier today means that the Reds are now five points adrift, with their game in hand coming at home to Fulham at Anfield. Here’s the XI we expect Jurgen Klopp to send out to get a much-needed victory.

Defence

The big news on the injury front this week is that Alisson Becker is set to miss the next two weeks or so. As a result, Caoimhin Kelleher will register back-to-back appearances for the first time in forever.

Having played behind a slightly makeshift back four on Thursday night though, normal service should be resumed for the rest of Liverpool’s defence.

After starring against Manchester City last week, Joel Matip should keep his place alongside captain Virgil van Dijk.

Meanwhile the full-backs currently pick themselves. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas have both been in decent form of late and will go again.

Midfield

Predicting the Liverpool midfield was made a little easier by Klopp’s selections on Thursday.

Having spent the full 90 minutes on the bench, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai should be well rested ahead of this one. Both will return tomorrow.

The third spot is likely to be filled by Curtis Jones. Although Ryan Gravenberch is arguably in better form than Jones, the 22-year-old’s substitute role mid-week indicates that he’ll get the nod for Sunday. With Gravenberch breathing down his neck, it’s a big game for Curtis.

Attack

In attack, Klopp is now having to deal with the fact that he’s set to be missing Diogo Jota for a chunk either side of the New Year.

That makes his selection simultaneously easier and more difficult, as he tries to juggle his squad effectively.

With Mohamed Salah an automatic starter and Darwin Nunez set to return to the line-up, the final position is a straight shootout between Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

And although Gakpo gave his confidence a boost with two goals against LASK, we don’t think it’ll be enough to get him a start here.

Diaz got a goal of his own and is in slightly better form overall. As a result, we think ‘Gakkers’ will unfortunately drop out here.

Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Fulham: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah Nunez, Diaz