Liverpool Look to Bounce Back From Arsenal Defeat Against Burnley

Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal last Sunday, as they host Burnley on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp will have a few key decisions to make ahead of the game, made graver by several notable absences within his first-team squad. Ibou Konate will serve his one-game suspension after picking up two yellow cards at the Emirates, but Conor Bradley and Wataru Endo could return to the squad.

Kostas Tsimikas, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ben Doak and Mohamed Salah will all remain absent as they continue to return to fitness. With that being said, today we’re going to take a look at what Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven could be on Saturday, as Liverpool look to get their title charge back on track.

Klopp’s Defence: A Point to Prove

After a pretty poor performance in the defeat at Arsenal, Alisson Becker will start in goal and look to prove his critics wrong. The Brazilian will likely feature in every game until the Carabao Cup final on the 25th, where Caoimhin Kelleher will return to the squad.

Virgil Van Dijk will also look to put things right after a disappointing game at the Emirates but will be partnered by a different centre-back due to Konate’s suspension. That partner will likely be Jarrell Quansah, who has impressed when stepping up into action this season.

Liverpool’s iconic full-back duo will eventually be reunited, with Andy Robertson replacing Joe Gomez to partner Trent Alexander-Arnold. It will be the Scotsman’s first start since suffering a shoulder injury back in October.

Verdict: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson

Liverpool’s Youthful Midfield

Despite Wataru Endo’s recent return from the Asia Cup, Alexis Mac Allister will remain in the side and look to build on his impressive recent form. Endo will certainly be on the bench though and will likely feature at some point.

Ahead of Mac Allister, Curtis Jones will keep his place in Klopp’s midfield three but his most recent partner Ryan Gravenberch will drop out of the side. It will instead be Harvey Elliott to come into the starting lineup and feature alongside Jones.

Endo and Gravenberch will provide Klopp with solid options from the bench and will look to claim a starting position over the next few games.

Verdict: Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones

Potential Nunez Return

After missing the Arsenal game last weekend with a foot injury, Darwin Nunez will return to Liverpool’s starting eleven on Saturday. Cody Gakpo will be the forward to make way for Nunez, after a run of fairly disappointing performances.

Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota will both keep their places in the starting lineup, after a run of impressive performances since the absence of Mohamed Salah.

Verdict: Jota, Nunez, Diaz

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Elliott, Mac Allister,
Jones, Jota, Nunez, Diaz

Bench: Kelleher, Adrian, Gomez, Bradley, Endo, Gravenberch, Clark, Gakpo, Gordon