Liverpool line-ups for Man City as Mohamed Salah on bench and Ibrahima Konate decision made
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Confirmed Liverpool lineup vs. Man City: Salah leads line, Trent on bench
Jurgen Klopp hmade five changes to his Liverpool lineup for today’s clash with Man City, with injuries limiting his selection for a high-profile meeting.
The Reds head into today’s tie 13 points behind their long-time rivals in the Premier League, having only won two of their eight games so far.
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But a 7-1 thrashing of Rangers in midweek served as a major boost to confidence on Merseyside, which they will need as they take on the free-scoring champions.
Klopp is once again bound by fitness issues throughout his squad as he names his side to face City, with Alisson among those able to keep his place.
James Milner comes in at right-back following a setback for Ibrahima Konate, with Joe Gomez partnering Virgil van Dijk in the middle and Andy Robertson at left-back.
Beyond the back four, it is unclear yet whether it will be a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.
Fabinho and Thiago are likely to start as the two-man midfield, however, with Harvey Elliott, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah in attack.
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That leaves the likes of Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and the fit-again Trent Alexander-Arnold as options from the bench.
Liverpool: Alisson; Milner, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago; Elliott, Firmino, Jota; Salah
Liverpool team news vs. Man City – Injuries and available squad
The biggest and toughest Premier League game left on Liverpools’ fixture list leaves Jurgen Klopp with plenty of decisions to make.
With no Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones or Diogo Jota, there are plenty of selection dilemmas for the Reds manager as he aims .
There’s also a big question mark over Ibrahima Konate’s fitness but let’s assume that precautionary change in Prague on Thursday means he is OK today. Caoimhin Kelleher keeps his place in goal behind a back four of Joe Gomez, Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
I did um and ah about Conor Bradley at right-back but I’ve plumped for the defensive solidity and experience of the in-form Gomez over on that right side. With Jack Grealish out and Jeremy Doku a doubt, it could be Phil Foden out there today, so that is a big individual battle.
READ MORE: Full Liverpool squad available for Man City as Ibrahima Konate decision expected and nine ruled out
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola responds to Trent Alexander-Arnold dig before Liverpool vs Man City
In midfield, Wataru Endo patrols the engine room and the Japan international needed to perform to the levels he has in recent months. It’s a huge game for him to keep Kevin De Bruyne and the rest quiet. Alexis Mac Allister also starts alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, who comes in for Harvey Elliott.
Up top, Mohamed Salah returns on that right side with Luis Diaz flanked out on the left. Darwin Nunez, with nine goals since Boxing Day, is tasked with wreaking havoc on Guardiola’s title plans.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Ian Doyle – Bradley and Gomez both start
It’s the big one – even if a draw means neither of the two leading contenders will be top of the Premier League going into the final international break of the season.
Manchester City are in town, and they have made clear in the past few days it’s that they like celebrating their trophy wins while insinuating Liverpool perhaps aren’t that big a club. Right.
What, then, is Jurgen Klopp to do?
The in-form Caoimhin Kelleher is between the sticks. And no way should Ibrahima Konate be risked, which leaves the versatile Joe Gomez to come in at centre-back alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk. Conor Bradley is therefore the right-back, and there’s a sneaking suspicion Kostas Tsimikas could start, although I’d go with Andy Robertson at left-back.
In midfield, it’s time to unveil the big guns, with Wataru Endo as the number six and Alexis Mac Allister to his left and Dominik Szoboszlai his right.
Up top, Darwin Nunez leads the line with Luis Diaz to his left. And I’d be tempted to start with Harvey Elliott on the right with Mohamed Salah in reserve.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Elliott, Nunez, Diaz
Theo Squires – Quansah to replace Konate
Jurgen Klopp has some tough decisions to make ahead of Liverpool locking horns with Man City, with injuries once again dictating his line-up.
Having seen Ibrahima Konate limp off against Sparta Prague, it would be a surprise if he is passed fit for this one. The Frenchman had yet to even undergo scans when his manager gave his latest injury update.
Meanwhile, both Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah have been utilised as substitutes since returning from hamstring injuries, but are they ready to start against City? Time will tell.
All three are in Liverpool’s strongest starting XI, but the Reds would be better off starting someone else if they’re not 100% fit and firing. There is just too much at stake against Man City to line up without a full side that are in the best condition for it.
Jarell Quansah can start in place of Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Conor Bradley returning at right-back. It’s a very youthful right-hand side of the defence, but such players are fearless and that could benefit Liverpool.
Joe Gomez can complete the defence at left-back ahead of Andy Robertson, with the natural right-footer perhaps well-equipped to stop the in-form, inverted Phil Foden.
The midfield picks itself, presuming Szoboszlai is good to go. The Hungarian got a goal off the bench against Sparta, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt with Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister completing the trio.
Meanwhile, Salah insists he’s ready so it’s hard not to start him. Darwin Nunez plays down the middle with Luis Diaz out on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
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Next Liverpool manager: Three main Michael Edwards targets revealed amid fresh Xabi Alonso concern..
Michael Edwards has decided on the three managers he will pursue for Liverpool if Xabi Alonso remains in Germany through one of two different options, according to a report.
Jurgen Klopp has announced his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, forcing the club to begin the incredibly difficult task of replacing one of their most iconic figures. Ex-Liverpool star Alonso has been earmarked as the ideal successor.
Alonso is doing an unbelievable job at Bayer Leverkusen, as they could end Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance while also triumphing in both the Europa League and German Cup.
The former midfielder has been linked with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in addition to Liverpool. Madrid are currently happy with Carlo Ancelotti, making Bayern the main competitors for Liverpool.
But on Saturday, former Leverkusen sporting director Reiner Calmund backed Alonso to reject Liverpool and Bayern and actually remain with his current club for up to two more years.
“I firmly believe Alonso will be the coach of Leverkusen next season,” he remarked.
“As a player he won everything, including the Champions League at Real Madrid. Ancelotti has extended his contract, so at the moment there’s no danger.
“If I was Alonso’s agent, I wouldn’t advise him to go to Liverpool as Klopp’s successor. I would recommend he stays in Leverkusen for one or two more years and then perhaps replace Ancelotti.”
Julian Nagelsmann among Liverpool targets
Edwards, who is poised to return to Liverpool in a senior role, will be well aware of the situation regarding Alonso. The transfer mastermind will do his best to land Alonso, but he does have backup options if that pursuit fails.
As per Football Insider, the three alternative managers in Edwards’ sights are Julian Nagelsmann, Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim.
While Nagelsmann did not live up to expectations at Bayern, his stock remains high as he is viewed as one of the best young coaches in Europe. Liverpool like the fact that the 36-year-old was great at developing young players prior to his Bayern spell.
As Nagelsmann’s contract with the German FA expires this summer, he could become a free agent for Liverpool to chase – if his side struggles at the European Championship.
Edwards and Liverpool have also been hugely impressed by De Zerbi since he arrived in the Premier League at Brighton in September 2022. The only problem for the Reds is that De Zerbi has also emerged as a prime target for Manchester United and Barcelona.
Amorim is a candidate who appears to be rising on Liverpool’s shortlist. The 39-year-old has done a great job at Sporting CP, having won a league title, two league cups and one super cup while in charge of the Portuguese giants.
