Fabinho and Thiago are fit to start, while Ibrahima Konate could get the nod over Joel Matip when Liverpool face Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Liverpool will battle it out with La Liga champions Real Madrid in the blockbuster final of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League at Stade de France on Saturday night.
Leading up to the monumental clash, Liverpool have received a double injury boost as midfielders Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara have returned to training. The former had been out of action since May 10 when he picked up an injury against Aston Villa, while the latter had hurt himself on the final day of the season versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
But, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that the midfield duo is back in training and should be okay for the main event in France on Saturday. The Liverpool boss said, “Looks good for both. Fabinho trained completely normal. Thiago trained yesterday with the team, will train today and then we go from there,” the Liverpool manager said in his pre-match presser.
In addition to that, Joe Gomez is also back in training, although he is unlikely to be involved from kick-off. But, striker Divock Origi, who will be leaving in the summer, is ruled out with an injury. Having already won a couple of trophies this season, Liverpool will be raring to lift the Champions League crown as well.
And, for that to happen, they will need their goalkeeper Alisson Becker to be at his best against the threat of the in-form Karim Benzema. Virgil van Dijk is a guaranteed starter at centre-back but could be partnered by Ibrahima Konate instead of Joel Matip. The Frenchman has been preferred in the recent knockout games by Klopp, while his recovery pace could come in handy against the Real Madrid forwards.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are certainties to feature in the wide areas as full-backs. Their potential battles with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, respectively, could have a major implication on the outcome of the game on Saturday.
Moving into the centre of the park, the fit-again Fabinho ought to walk right back into the starting XI, slotting in at the base of the three-man midfield for Liverpool. The Brazilian will have support from his captain Jordan Henderson, while Thiago will look to provide the control and creativity from the third midfield slot.
As for the frontline, Mohamed Salah is a shoo-in on the right flank and will need to up his game after a dry spell in recent weeks. January signing Luis Diaz has been exceptional since his arrival and is deserving of a spot in the starting XI, while the in-form Sadio Mane is a certainty to feature as well. Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota will thus have to sit out on the bench.
Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Salah, Mane, Diaz
