We’ve had a go at predicting Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven for the visit of Newcastle United to Anfield this Saturday.
Liverpool get their Premier League campaign back underway in the early game on Saturday and Klopp has some decisions to make, based on how active some players were over the international break.
Adrian is set to continue his spell between the sticks as Alisson Becker’s calf injury is set to keep him out another couple of weeks at least.
In defence, Joel Matip should keep his starting place alongside Dutch colossus Virgil van Dijk in the centre. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start on either side of the back four.
Midfield, as per usual, is where Klopp will have the toughest decisions to make. Fabinho played almost half an hour for Brazil in their 1-0 defeat to Peru on Tuesday night. Despite travelling too and from the US, I think Fabinho will start against Newcastle.
Ahead of the Brazilian, I expect James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to come in – as they did at Southampton. Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum both had full schedules on international duty and Klopp is likely to want to give them some kind of rest.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané didn’t have any fixtures for Egypt or Senegal so they will start up front. It’s possible Roberto Firmino is rested for Divock Origi after he played over 140 minutes in Brazil’s two games. However, I think Klopp will stick with the full strength front three, meaning Origi will have to settle for a place on the bench.
Predicted Liverpool lineup (4-3-3) Vs Newcastle United: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mané
For a read of our in-depth match preview, click here.
For the most in-depth tactical and statistical analysis regarding Liverpool FC, sign up now! The original home of Pressing Stats, Anfield Index also brings you the latest views from club legends such as Jan Molby.
Hear from the UK’s top journalists, managers, professionals, sports scientists, physios and sports psychologists as we bring you the ultimate LFC fan experience provided on approximately 30 podcasts every month for our AI:Pro listeners!!
Enjoy all this and more for just £4.99 per month at Anfield Index Pro!!
