Starting XI: How should Liverpool line up against Leicester City?
By Adam Brown @AdamMNVi
Liverpool’s starting squad is easing back to full fitness as Jurgen Klopp prepares to navigate through multiple competitions, and there is no more important than the Premier League. Leicester City come to Anfield at a time where Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a reaction after Nottingham Forest shocked them in the FA Cup, though his injury list gives an assuring advantage to the Reds.
The biggest question this week is whether Mo Salah starts. Of course, he’s got the capabilities to play despite multiple 120 minute clashes at AFCON, but I think we have to be careful from a sports science point of view.
With Harvey Elliott also returning from injury, there’s a chance to rotate him with Mo here to ensure we’re being careful in an important title race.
Here’s how we should line up:
A full strength lineup sees Alisson and Joel Matip return to the side. Virgil, Trent and Robertson complete the back four.
We can’t mess around against Leicester this time. A frustrating result at the King Power Stadium saw us drop vital points, and we need the intensity to make a statement in this one. With reports that Jordan Henderson may be carrying a minor back injury, it’s time to unleash one of Liverpool fan’s favourite trio: the Fabinho-Thiago-Keita combination.
Upfront is where a slight dilemma is on the horizon. With Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino both able to play centrally, there’s no question that one of those will start there. But Luis Diaz is primarily a left-winger, which means that Jota could be limited in a slightly more unfavourable right-wing slot if all three start together.
I think it’s worth trying. Mo’s fitness will only be a slight concern for this game, and the prospect of introducing Elliott and Salah at the same time around the hour mark will be a boost for both the team and atmosphere.
Score prediction: Liverpool 3 – 0 Leicester City
How does Ste think we will line up? Check out the starting XI prediction show below!
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