Liverpool predicted line-up vs Man Utd as Firmino and two changes weighed up
Ahead of their titanic clash with Manchester United this Sunday evening, Liverpool were rocked by the news that Roberto Firmino will not be signing a new contract.
The Brazilian forward, 31, will pursue a new challenge after eight years of loyal service on Merseyside, during which he has been crowned a Champions League and Premier League winner. Firmino will receive a fitting send-off as a Liverpool legend later this season - but there is no room for sentimentality as United visit Anfield.
The Reds must keep their four-game unbeaten run going if they are to maintain their growing hopes of bursting into the top four, but face a stern test against their arch-rivals, who have thrust themselves into the title race.
Alisson is all but certain to keep his place in goal for Klopp's side, while the German manager could make one change to the defence that registered a clean sheet against Wolves on Wednesday night. Liverpool left it late but defeated the Midlands club 2-0 with a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas.
Andy Robertson appears likely to come into the starting XI in place of Tsimikas as he boasts plenty of experience in the biggest fixtures where there is lots at stake. In midfield, there could also be one change, with club captain Jordan Henderson likely to come in for Harvey Elliott on the right of the trio.
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Fabinho impressed against Wolves and is likely to maintain his spot at the base of midfield, while breakout star Stefan Bajcetic has adapted to first-team football seamlessly and should start on the left.
Who should start for Liverpool against Manchester United? Pick your XI in the comments!
Roberto Firmino is leaving Liverpool and it seems unlikely he will start against Manchester United (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)In attack, Mohamed Salah is Klopp's main source of goals from the right wing, so it is a case of picking two of Liverpool's other forwards to complement him. Darwin Nunez has shone on the left wing recently, drawing praise from his manager, and is likely to start against the Red Devils, having missed last August's 2-1 defeat by United due to suspension.
There is a conundrum regarding who starts in the No.9 role, with Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Firmino pushing to be named in the XI. Although Firmino has dominated headlines in recent days, Klopp is likely to hand Jota another start.
The Portuguese played a key role as Liverpool opened the scoring against Wolves, keeping the ball in play and assisting Van Dijk in the 73rd minute. Gakpo scored twice for the Reds in February but is yet to fully convince, so he may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Liverpool predicted line-up versus Manchester United: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Jota, Nunez
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