Jurgen Klopp has some more decisions to make ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Watford on Wednesday night in the Premier League.
It is looking more-and-more like Roberto Firmino will miss out after going over on his ankle at Old Trafford last Sunday. Rumours are that Firmino could also miss this weekend’s derby at Goodison Park but let’s hope that assessment is off the mark.
Will Klopp go with the first option on our list? It sees a return to the starting eleven for Trent Alexander-Arnold in place of James Milner at right-back with Joel Matip continuing in the centre of defence.
In midfield, Jordan Henderson is left out in favour of what I feel is our best midfield trio at the moment – Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita.
Up front, Salah remains wide on the right with Sturridge replacing Firmino in the centre and Sadio Mané stays on the left.
Liverpool’s lineup – option 1 (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk(c), Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita; Salah, Sturridge, Mané
Okay, so here’s another option. Klopp sticks with his physically adept midfield of Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum but brings Divock Origi in as a striker instead of Sturridge. Origi can offer more physicality and pace than Sturridge but lacks the former English international’s technique.
Origi from the start with Sturridge coming on after 60 or 70 minutes might well be something Klopp is considering if Firmino is out.
Liverpool’s lineup – option 2 (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson(c), Wijnaldum; Salah, Origi, Mané
The final option – the same as option 1 but with a start for Xherdan Shaqiri ahead of Sturridge. Shaqiri could slot into a supporting attackers role on the right with Salah allowed to take a more central strikers position. This would be more of a 4-3-2-1 shape with Mané and Shaqiri forming the ‘2’ behind Salah.
Liverpool’s lineup – option 3 (4-3-2-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk(c), Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita; Shaqiri, Mané; Salah
I’m sure there are plenty of opinions out there so do let us know in the comments below which option you think we will see, or if you have a whole different lineup to suggest!
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