Liverpool’s Shot at Redemption Against Palace: Who Makes the Starting XI?

Following the catastrophic performance in Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta on Thursday, all attention turns to the Reds’ pursuit of the Premier League title – where no such slip up is affordable. Jurgen Klopp’s men likely need to win all seven of their remaining Premier League games if they want to lift the trophy at the end of it.

With Thursday’s performance in mind, many supporters will be wanting huge amounts of changes to Klopp’s starting eleven. With that in mind, let’s take a look at who we think will make it into Klopp’s lineup from the start on Sunday.

Klopp’s Shaky Defence

At one point of the season, Liverpool had the best defence in the country but they now find themselves with zero clean sheets in their last eight games across all competitions. Nevertheless, Caoimhin Kelleher will remain in between the sticks for this one whilst Alisson Becker continues his recovery from injury.

Ahead of him, Virgil Van Dijk will start as usual and I expect to see Jarell Quansah partner him at the back. Ibou Konate will move back onto the bench after playing the full 90 minutes on Thursday.

Andy Robertson will definitely start at left-back and will look to continue his impressive form since returning from injury. The catastrophic performances of Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez during the week make that decision much easier for Klopp. Conor Bradley will almost certainly start on the opposite side.

Verdict: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas

Big Decisions in the Midfield

It’s hard to choose three to start after the midfield’s calamitous performance on Thursday, in all honesty. Wataru Endo will likely continue at the base of the midfield, whilst Alexis Mac Allister will occupy one of the eight roles ahead of him.

After that, it is between Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai for the final midfield slot. Jones doesn’t look fit enough for a start just yet, with Thursday looking like it came too early for him. I reckon Szoboszlai will get the nod for the return leg at Atalanta, so perhaps he gets the rest here.

Therefore, Elliott will get his well-deserved chance in the midfield three, rather than being forced out wide. The youngster scored a brilliant late winner in the return fixture against Crystal Palace earlier in the season, so hopefully he can have a similar impact on Sunday.

Verdict: Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott

Jota’s Return?

Many Liverpool supporters will be craving a return to the starting lineup for Diogo Jota after the Reds’ recent wasteful performances. However, Sunday will likely come too soon for the forward to make the starting eleven. Therefore, Darwin Nunez will keep his place in the central role in the front three.

Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah will both surely return into the starting lineup, meaning Cody Gakpo will fall to the bench despite his solid performance on Thursday. However, I wouldn’t be completely opposed to a start for the Dutchman.

Verdict: Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott, Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Bench: Adrian, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas, Jones, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Jota