Liverpool's South American Players in Selection Doubt

Jurgen Klopp could face a major headache when it comes to his team selection ahead of the Wolves game on Saturday.

Following the international break, Liverpool’s South American players aren’t set to arrive back in the UK until less than 36 hours ahead of Saturday’s game.

This means that Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez could all be doubts for the weekend’s game.

Alisson remains the most likely to feature for Liverpool after being named on the bench in both of Brazil’s victories over the International Break.

Virgil Van Dijk also remains suspended, whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold will definitely miss the game with a hamstring issue.

Ibou Konate remains a potential doubt for the clash, but did train with the first-team on Thursday afternoon.

In this article we’re going to look at how Jurgen Klopp could set his team up with all of these doubts took into consideration.

Defence:

Despite being a late arrival back in the UK, I expect Alisson to still start in goal on Saturday but if not Caoimhin Kelleher would be a reliable alternative option

Andy Robertson will likely partner Joe Gomez as the two full-backs on Saturday, with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley injured.

Joel Matip is nailed on to start against Wolves due to Van Dijk’s suspension, and will be partnered by either Ibou Konate or Jarrell Quansah.

If he’s fit to start, Konate would be the favourite to featurre but if not then we will see 20-year-old Quansah make his first senior start for Liverpool.

Midfield:

Dominik Szobozslai is expected to be nailed on as one third of Klopp’s midfield contingent, after training with the first-team on Thursday.

Wataru Endo is the most likely option to be deployed as a holding midfielder, with Alexis Mac Allister being a late arrival back to the UK.

This leaves Klopp with the option of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott as the third midfielder.

Gravenberch could be in line to make his Liverpool debut after turning down the opportunity to represent Netherlands Under-21’s over the international break.

However, I think Curtis Jones remains the favourite to keep his place in midfield after the 3-0 victory against Aston Villa last time out.

The 22-year-old didn’t feature for England Under-21’s and instead remained at the club over the international break.

This would leave both Gravenberch and Elliott as options from the bench.

Forwards:

Uruguay Head Coach, Marcelo Bielsa, claimed that Darwin Nunez was substituted in their defeat to Ecuador due to ‘muscular difficutlies’.

This along with the fact that Nunez will be a late arrival means that I think Nunez will be named on the bench at the weekend.

The same fate could land at Luis Diaz, where I think Klopp will prefer to go with three fresher options in Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota.

Ben Doak will likely be named on the bench after featuring for England Under-21’s over the International Break.

Predicted Starting XI: Alisson, Gomez, Matip, Konate, Robertson, Endo, Szobozslai, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Jota.

Bench: Kelleher, Quansah, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, Gravenberch, Elliott, Doak, Diaz, Nunez.