Thiago is expected to make his first start for Liverpool, while Sadio Mane should return to the lineup for the Merseyside Derby against Everton.
Liverpool will hope to get back to winning ways against Everton after a disastrous game against Aston Villa, who thrashed them at Villa Park in a 7-2 defeat. The international break could not have come for a better time for them, as it paved the way for Thiago Alcantara and Sadio Mane’s return to fitness after testing positive for the Coronavirus.
Jurgen Klopp spoke about both the superstars in his pre-game press conference, saying, “They both looked really good, to be honest. We are very close with the doctors, and we don’t want to – and would never – risk anybody.”
“Usually in these cases, in at least the last three, four of five days of the quarantine, the boys are already ready. They cannot come out of quarantine, but they are on treadmills, on the bike and these kind of things so when they start training again, it is not that they start from nil. They have still a proper shape, so it should be fine.”
With an air of uncertainty over Diogo Jota’s head after the Portugal camp came in contact with Cristiano Ronaldo, who tested positive for the Coronavirus, it would be fair to predict Mane to start on the left-wing especially given the importance for the game.
He will be accompanied by Mohamed Salah, who will start on the right, while Roberto Firmino will be given the responsibility to lead the line for Liverpool. The Brazilian is yet to score a goal this season, but Klopp admitted that “it is not even close to becoming a problem” for him.
Meanwhile, in midfield, we expect Thiago to be given his long-awaited first start for the Reds after recovering from the virus, even though his involvement might be restricted. Captain Jordan Henderson will take his position in midfield as well, while Fabinho acts as the screening midfielder in the three-man midfield.
We expect no changes to be made to the Liverpool defence, with Joe Gomez retaining his place alongside Virgil van Dijk after a horror show at Villa Park. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will be given the duty to provide width from the back, acting as the primary creators for Klopp’s Liverpool.
With Alisson still out injured, Adrian will hope to redeem himself and finally gain the trust of the Anfield faithfuls after a less-than-convincing 90 minutes against Aston Villa. Klopp and Liverpool fans, though, would be eager to see Alisson return soon.
Liverpool Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Mane
