Thiago Alcantara will make his long-awaited return to the starting lineup when Liverpool take on Leeds United on Monday.
It has been a disappointing campaign for Liverpool. But top-four qualification is still not out of question. However, the Reds will need to perform at a very high level and need some of the other results to go their way in order to secure Champions League qualification for the next season. At the same time, they will need to win all their remaining games, starting with Leeds United on Monday.
The return of Luis Diaz will come as a major boost for the visitors. Klopp has confirmed during his pre-match press conference that the Colombian international is hundred per cent ready to participate in the game. But he is unlikely to start. Thiago Alcantara has returned to action in recent weeks, and the Spaniard is likely to start here.
On Diaz, Klopp said, “Yeah, he’s 100 per cent ready in training so that’s it now. He is now completely normal in training and now we have to reintegrate him. He will be in the squad, if nothing happens Luis will be in the squad and from there we go. That’s it. But it’s absolutely fine – he didn’t lose his skills, that’s good, but how I said we have to see how step by step we can bring him back into the team.”
On Thiago, Klopp said, “Super-important of course [that he is available]. Thiago as well – he was not out that long but it was long as well. It’s insane how quick time goes. It is a different situation [to Diaz], obviously.”
Leeds United vs Liverpool Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“Thiago is a candidate for starting and if we start Luis probably people will tell me, ’30 minutes’ and stuff like this and then we cannot start him [because] we have to make the first change a bit early.”
On the injury front, Naby Keita is ruled out with a muscle injury while Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajcetic are sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. Although Ibrahima Konate and Alisson Becker missed a couple of training sessions recently, the two players are expected to be starting against Leeds at Elland Road. Liverpool are likely to start in the usual 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will look to create opportunities for their teammates and help out defensively as the full-backs. Konate will continue at the heart of the defence along with Virgil van Dijk.
In the middle of the park, Curtis Jones could be handed a start once again after impressing in his last two outings. The youngster will look to add craft and control in the midfield. Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara is set to start along with Fabinho.
While the Brazilian will look to win the ball back for his side, Thiago will control the tempo of the game. Darwin Nunez is set to start on the left of the front three, with Diaz coming into the side later on in the game. Mohamed Salah will continue on the right. Cody Gakpo will lead the line for the visitors.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
Thiago Alcantara will make his long-awaited return to the starting lineup when Liverpool take on Leeds United on Monday.
It has been a disappointing campaign for Liverpool. But top-four qualification is still not out of question. However, the Reds will need to perform at a very high level and need some of the other results to go their way in order to secure Champions League qualification for the next season. At the same time, they will need to win all their remaining games, starting with Leeds United on Monday.
The return of Luis Diaz will come as a major boost for the visitors. Klopp has confirmed during his pre-match press conference that the Colombian international is hundred per cent ready to participate in the game. But he is unlikely to start. Thiago Alcantara has returned to action in recent weeks, and the Spaniard is likely to start here.
On Diaz, Klopp said, “Yeah, he’s 100 per cent ready in training so that’s it now. He is now completely normal in training and now we have to reintegrate him. He will be in the squad, if nothing happens Luis will be in the squad and from there we go. That’s it. But it’s absolutely fine – he didn’t lose his skills, that’s good, but how I said we have to see how step by step we can bring him back into the team.”
On Thiago, Klopp said, “Super-important of course [that he is available]. Thiago as well – he was not out that long but it was long as well. It’s insane how quick time goes. It is a different situation [to Diaz], obviously.”
Leeds United vs Liverpool Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
“Thiago is a candidate for starting and if we start Luis probably people will tell me, ’30 minutes’ and stuff like this and then we cannot start him [because] we have to make the first change a bit early.”
On the injury front, Naby Keita is ruled out with a muscle injury while Calvin Ramsay and Stefan Bajcetic are sidelined for the remainder of the campaign. Although Ibrahima Konate and Alisson Becker missed a couple of training sessions recently, the two players are expected to be starting against Leeds at Elland Road. Liverpool are likely to start in the usual 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will look to create opportunities for their teammates and help out defensively as the full-backs. Konate will continue at the heart of the defence along with Virgil van Dijk.
In the middle of the park, Curtis Jones could be handed a start once again after impressing in his last two outings. The youngster will look to add craft and control in the midfield. Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara is set to start along with Fabinho.
While the Brazilian will look to win the ball back for his side, Thiago will control the tempo of the game. Darwin Nunez is set to start on the left of the front three, with Diaz coming into the side later on in the game. Mohamed Salah will continue on the right. Cody Gakpo will lead the line for the visitors.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez