Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in a massive Premier League game, with both teams still fighting for Champions League qualification for next season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side come into this one on the back of three successive wins in the league, beating Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.
The Reds have been in fine form lately with just two defeats in their last twelve league games but with numerous fitness concerns, Klopp could be forced to make a few changes ahead of the game.
Diogo Jota v Darwin Nunez
Just as Diogo Jota was finding a good run of form once again, the forward has picked up a small knock in Wednesday’s victory.
The Portuguese international is expected to still be available for selection but does his fitness open up a reason for Klopp to reintroduce Darwin Nunez into the starting lineup?
Nunez hasn’t started a game since Liverpool’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea on the 4th April but has one goal in four substitute appearances since then.
I still think that Klopp will go with Jota alongside Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah but it certainly is a conversation that will be considered behind the scenes.
Liverpool’s home game against Fulham on Wednesday may be the opportunity for Nunez to come into the starting lineup.
Ibou Konate v Joel Matip
Another key talking point ahead of the weekend’s game is who should partner Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
Since his return from injury, Ibou Konate has often been favoured over Joel Matip until he missed the West Ham game during the week with a minor issue.
In his pre-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the Frenchman would be back for this one but that doesn’t mean he will start the game.
Joel Matip performed very well against the Hammers and even scored the winner in that one with a great header so there’s definitely an argument that the 31-year-old should keep his place in the lineup.
However, due to his fantastic performance in Liverpool’s 2-1 away victory against Spurs earlier in the season, I would back Konate to come back into the defence for this one.
Against the pace of the likes of Richarlison and Heung-Min Son, Ibou will definitely be a quicker option in the back line.
Curtis Jones v Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara hasn’t been able to win back his place in the starting lineup since returning from a hip injury and this has largely been down to the solid performances of Curtis Jones.
Jones has been in brilliant form on the left-hand side of Liverpool’s midfield trio and has started in all of the Reds’ last four games.
However, I would lean more towards bringing Thiago back into the lineup for Sunday’s game.
As poor as Tottenham have been this season, they still have undeniable quality in their side and we will need experienced players to dictate the game and make sure we keep it in our hands.
Unfortunately for Curtis Jones, I think Thiago may offer more on this occasion but I still expect the youngster to feature regularly before the end of the season.
Starting XI Prediction: Alisson, Trent, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Gakpo, Jota.
Bench: Kelleher, Matip, Gomez, Tsimikas, Milner, Jones, Elliott, Nunez, Diaz.
