Predicted Liverpool lineup against Chelsea: Keita returns, Milner in contention

Naby Keita is tipped to return to the starting lineup for Liverpool when the Reds welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool lock horns with Chelsea on Wednesday, hoping to bounce back from their shock 2-0 defeat to Arsenal last week.

Unlike most other teams, however, the Reds have had a good week’s rest heading into this encounter, meaning coach Jurgen Klopp could pretty much opt for a similar lineup in a game post which Liverpool will lift the Premier League title.

“It’s not the easiest game I ever prepared with a team, to be honest, because there are two things tomorrow night,” the Liverpool boss told reporters. Usually, I don’t have to think about something else apart from the football game, which helps me a lot because I can really be focused,” Klopp added during his pre-match press conference.

The Liverpool boss did not reveal any fresh injury concerns but did confirm that James Milner is fit and is in contention to start. “Millie is in contention, or is pretty safe for the Chelsea game,” said the Liverpool manager before adding “It will be fine for Chelsea, I am pretty sure,” said the 53-year-old.

Milner playing in Liverpool’s last home game of the season could be pretty significant. However, his lack of game-time means Georginio Wijnaldum is still the favourite to start in midfield alongside Fabinho, while Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain could be replaced by Naby Keita.

Guinean international Keita made quite a spark in the last game and will be hoping for a similar performance this time around, especially with Jordan Henderson out injured.

Speaking of injuries, Joel Matip is another player sidelined, thereby making Joe Gomez a certainty alongside Virgil van Dijk, who will be hoping to avoid making any defensive errors this time around. In fact, no changes are expected to be made in defence at all, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson operating as full-backs while Alisson will start in goal.

Finally, in the attack, the likes of Takumi Minamino, Xherdan Shaqiri and even Divock Origi are all pushing for a place in the starting lineup. However, Klopp could very well persist with the revered offensive trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane as the German looks to preserve Liverpool’s fantastic record at home.

In addition, they will also be chasing after Manchester City’s record of winning the league title by 19 points during the 2017/18 campaign, while former Chelsea winger Salah will be continuing his late push to win the Golden Boot.

Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane