Fabinho is in line to return while Andy Robertson should replace Kostas Tsimikas as Liverpool face off against rivals Chelsea at Anfield.
Liverpool will be aiming to extend their perfect start to the 2021/22 Premier League season when they face off against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea outfit at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Leading into the game, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be without just one player with injury, as James Milner remains sidelined. Speaking in his pre-match presser, the German tactician confirmed as much, saying: “Millie will not be ready – I think that’s it pretty much.”
Klopp also confirmed that midfielder Fabinho, who missed the last game against Burnley due to personal reasons, was back in contention, along with Andy Robertson, who featured as a substitute last weekend after having recovered from an injury. “Robbo trained the whole week, of course he [is] in contention, no doubt about that,” Klopp confirmed.
With Robertson ready to start, the Scotsman should return to the fold at the expense of Kostas Tsimikas despite the Greek international impressing in the last two games. At right-back, there is no looking past Trent Alexander-Arnold while Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk form the heart of the Liverpool defence, in front of goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Fabinho’s availability means that the Brazilian should walk right back into the starting lineup, slotting in at the base of the Reds’ three-man midfield unit. Captain Jordan Henderson is a certain starter for Liverpool when Chelsea come visiting, while Naby Keita is expected to keep his place in the side after a promising start to the new season. That means Thiago Alcantara will once again be on the bench for the hosts.
Moving into the attacking unit, things are pretty straightforward for Klopp and Liverpool. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have both looked bright in the opening two fixtures and are guaranteed starters out on the right and left flanks, respectively.
As for the centre-forward slot, Diogo Jota has kept Roberto Firmino out of the starting XI for the first two matches and having scored in each of the games, the Portuguese forward is likely to be preferred yet again over the ex-TSG Hoffenheim man on Saturday against Chelsea.
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Keita, Salah, Jota, Mane.