Fabinho is likely to miss out while Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara return to the lineup when Liverpool face Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Liverpool will be aiming to win their second trophy of the 2021/22 season when they lock horns with Chelsea in the finals of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening.
Heading up to the game, Liverpool have been dealt a fresh setback as midfield mainstay Fabinho is likely to miss out after getting injured in the midweek clash against Aston Villa. Providing an update on the Brazilian’s condition in his pre-match presser, manager Jurgen Klopp said: “[He] will definitely be back for the [Champions League] final, and for the Chelsea final and before, we will see, we don’t know.”
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Apart from the Brazilian, Liverpool have a fully-fit squad as they look to take the next step in achieving their dream of winning the quadruple. Klopp opted to rest a few key players in the midweek Premier League clash and will recall them for the finals against Chelsea at Wembley.
Alisson Becker is a certainty between the sticks for Liverpool and will be shielded by the centre-back pairing of Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk. Trent Alexander-Arnold is a permanent fixture at right-back, while Andrew Robertson ought to return to the starting XI after being rested against Aston Villa. Kostas Tsimikas will make way for the Scotsman.
Fabinho’s absence will be a big blow for Liverpool. In the Brazilian’s unavailability, captain Jordan Henderson should move into the No. 6 slot for the Merseyside giants against Chelsea. Naby Keita should hold on to his spot in the middle of the park, while Thiago Alcantara should return to the starting XI after being benched in the Aston Villa clash.
As for the attacking unit, one change is expected as Mohamed Salah should be reinstated on the right flank after being held back in the game against Villa. The Egyptian international ought to replace Diogo Jota in the lineup. As for the remaining two slots, there is no looking past the in-form duo of Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.
Roberto Firmino, Jota, Divock Origi, Harvey Elliott and Takumi Minamino will be the attacking options from the bench at Klopp’s disposal.
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Keita, Henderson, Thiago, Salah, Mane, Diaz.
