Liverpool predicted XI for Man City clash as three stars return from absences

25 November 2023 , 04:00

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Liverpool predicted XI for Man City clash as three stars return from absences

If the trip to the Etihad Stadium in early April showed just how far Liverpool had fallen from the side that was best equipped to challenge Manchester City, the return almost eight months later could show just how much ground has been gained in the rebuild.

Jurgen Klopp's new-look side head to City for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off just a point behind their hosts, which many would have felt would be a fanciful notion after 12 league games of the campaign and with a completely new midfield for the manager to construct.

That midfield has been one of the most impressive things about the Reds in the current campaign, and it is there that Klopp perhaps faces his biggest selection dilemma for the Etihad clash.

Alexis Mac Allister was suspended for the win over Brentford prior to the international break, but after returning from Argentina duty unscathed he seems likely to start in the deepest lying No.6 position, with Dominik Szoboszlai a shoo-in for a spot just ahead of him.

The third place in midfield is a bit more difficult to predict, but Klopp has turned to Curtis Jones in these matches before and he might just feel that the local lad has the calmness on the ball to shine in such a high level environment, with Wataru Endo and Cody Gakpo dropping to the bench from the midfield which started against Brentford and Ryan Gravenberch another option from the sidelines.

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Alexis Mac Allister is back from suspension for Liverpool (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)

At the back the only change from the Brentford win could see Ibrahima Konate return to the side in place of Joel Matip, with the French international fresh having missed international duty and perhaps better equipped to deal with the pace and physical approach of Erling Haaland. Trent Alexander-Arnold , Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas could make up the rest of the defence, ahead of Alisson in goal.

As ever, when all of his forward options are fit and available Klopp is spoilt for choice in attack, with his forwards in superb form for their countries over the international break.

Mohamed Salah will play of course, with the Egyptian scoring four goals in a game for his country over the international break, while Darwin Nunez is also in superb form after scoring three goals in two games for Uruguay.

The third slot will go to one of Gakpo, Luis Diaz or Diogo Jota , and Portuguese might just take it given his form right now, with Klopp perhaps happier to turn to Diaz from the bench after an exhausting break with Colombia.

Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Jota.

Mark Jones