Stefan Bajcetic and Joel Matip will feature in the starting lineup when Liverpool take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Liverpool are coming into the game against Crystal Palace on the back of a heavy defeat against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. And they will be desperate to produce a reaction for the fans here.
Jurgen Klopp will be without the services of key midfielder Thiago Alcantara this weekend. The Spanish international is sidelined for a few weeks with a hip injury. Young full-back Calvin Ramsay has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and he is set to miss out as well.
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Ibrahima Konate is close to a return. But the Frenchman might not feature because he has had only two sessions after an extended injury layoff. Klopp said, “Ibou is near but [only] two sessions he had after a long injury.”
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz has only just returned to training, and the Colombian is expected to miss out as well. As for the team composition, Alisson Becker will continue in goal. And the Brazilian will be looking to make amends after an error-prone performance against Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will be deployed as the full-backs. And the duo will have to add creativity and provide defensive cover to the side. Joe Gomez is likely to drop down to the bench after a poor performance against Real Madrid. So Joel Matip is set to start alongside Virgil van Dijk in the central defensive partnership.
The midfield trifecta pretty much picks itself, with Fabinho as the defensive midfielder and Jordan Henderson as the box-to-box midfielder. Stefan Bajcetic is likely to start as well, and the youngster will look to win the ball back with his pressing and tackling ability.
In the front three, Darwin Nunez will look to build on his recent impressive performances on the left flank. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah will continue on the right wing. Finally, Dutch international attacker Cody Gakpo will lead the line for the visitors. So Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota will be options on the bench for Klopp.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
