Thiago Alcantara makes the bench while Nat Phillips and James Milner start as Liverpool prepare to take on Newcastle United at the St. James’ Park.
Jurgen Klopp has made two changes to the side that drew with West Bromwich Albion on the weekend, for the upcoming game against Newcastle United, their final match of 2020.
Thiago Alcantara has made the headlines for all the right reasons as the Liverpool FC midfielder makes his way back to the squad following an injury layoff. He starts on the bench alongside Georginio Wijnaldum, who has been replaced in favour of James Milner in the starting eleven.
The veteran midfielder and Jordan Henderson should bring some experience to the table for the visitors, especially alongside the young Curtis Jones in the middle third of the park. It was a surprise not to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but the former Arsenal star has made the bench.
? TEAM NEWS ?
The line-up for our final game of 2020 ? #NEWLIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 30, 2020
The other change in the side is the introduction of Nat Phillips, who starts ahead of Rhys Williams as the desired replacement for the injured Joel Matip. The youngster should start at centre-back alongside Fabinho, with additional support from the two full-backs in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.
Klopp has opted to persist with the iconic front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino once again, but the German could be tempted to bring on Takumi Minamino should they once again struggle to find any real opening against Newcastle United this evening.
Liverpool Starting Lineup: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane.