Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool adventure has quickly gone down the drain this month as his side are now facing the last and probably the toughest game of one of their worst months. The Reds have picked up just 2 points from 3 league games this month, losing to Swansea in the last round and will head into a season-defining clash against Antonio Conte’s Chelsea this week on Tuesday.
The Blues are currently at the top of the table, 10 points off the Reds and a loss for the home side can genuinely put an end to their hopes of any silverware this season. Klopp is expected to go for all three points with a strong side and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this game:
Team News:
The Reds have no new injuries to worry about as Danny Ings remains the only absentee for this game. English duo Nathaniel Clyne has not yet trained with the first team and will miss this game while Adam Lallana is expected to be back in action after missing the game at the weekend. Sadio Mane is also back with the squad but is only expected to take the bench on the night.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Simon Mignolet:
Though Karius has been decent in the cup competitions, Mignolet is the first choice shot-stopper for Klopp and should start this league game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold:
The youngster has been superb in the absence of Clyne this month and he should keep his place in the side for this game
Joel Matip:
The biggest reason for Liverpool to be confident of this game, Matip has been a man mountain at the back whenever he has played for the side and will be against the likes of Costa on the night at Anfield.
Dejan Lovren:
Having played a senior role in the absence of Matip, Lovren is expected to pick up his game even more; partnering him in this crunch tie.
James Milner:
The English midfielder has been superb as a left-back this season but has not been influential in the last few games. But Klopp should stick with him due to the lack of better options.
Jordan Henderson:
The Liverpool skipper did not have a great game against Southampton in the League Cup and he will hope to have a better impact on this game against Chelsea.
Emre Can:
The German midfielder got a few late minutes in the FA Cup at the weekend and is expected to start in the midfield in this tie.
Georginio Wijnaldum:
Growing in confidence by the game, Wijnaldum has been useful in the midfield for Liverpool this season and should start as the furthest midfielder for the Reds.
Adam Lallana:
With Mane just back from the AFCON, Lallana will deputize for him on the right-wing, a position which has not really been productive for him.
Roberto Firmino:
Almost saved the embarrassment in the previous round and is in a decent touch. Will be a big threat for Chelsea on the night at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho:
The playmaker is yet to spark his magic in the games after coming back from injury and he cannot pick a better clash to make an impact than this one.
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