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Sturridge To Lead The Line – Strongest 4-3-3 Liverpool Line-up To Face Leicester In The PL

Predicted Liverpool Line-up To Face Leicester City In The Premier League

Liverpool’s emphatic August run hit a massive setback after international break when the Reds suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Manchester City at Etihad. Jurgen Klopp’s men are yet to register a single win in any competition since then, with consecutive draws at Anfield against Sevilla in UEFA Champions League group stage fixture and Burnley in Premier League.

To add to this misery, the record 8-time League Cup winners got eliminated in the third round of the competition, against Leicester City on Tuesday night, and are set to encounter them once more this weekend, in an identical fixture at King Power Stadium – this time in a Premier League outing.

Leicester City, the 2015-16 Premier League winners,  have been superior in this fixture at home since 2015. Although Klopp rotated his lineup and mostly fielded his squad players on Tuesday, the German gaffer is not guaranteed of a win, despite a return of his first-team regulars. There is a frenzy of rage among the supporters already and Klopp must turn things around soon in order to avoid any further damage.

Team News:

Klopp rested most of his first-team regulars in their 2-0 defeat against the Foxes. Liverpool, however, will miss  winger Sadio Mane, who has been slapped with a three-game ban following his collision with Man City custodian Ederson which resulted in a straight Red.

They are still without Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne following their respective thigh and back injuries as they are a few weeks away before being available for selection once again. The Reds, meanwhile, are sweating on the fresh injury concerns of Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren and Emre Can, who are highly doubtful for the game against the Foxes, after failing to appear for the training sessions due to knocks.

Manager: Jurgen Klopp

Formation: 4-3-3

Klopp has not experimented much with his formation and should stick to a ‘4-3-3’ set-up. It is to be seen whether he keeps Roberto Firmino in his usual centre-forward role or decides to shift him on to the left wing and start Sturridge in the middle.

Simon Mignolet (GK)

The Belgian custodian should return between the sticks, replacing Danny Ward. Loris Karius could retain his place as Mignolet’s deputy.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB)

Liverpool’s teenage sensation was rested for the League Cup clash but should reclaim his place in the starting line-up on Saturday evening.

Joe Gomez (CB)

Joel Matip is facing a race against time to be fit for the weekend clash following a knock, and seems to be a major doubt for this game. Youngster Joe Gomez should retain his place if Matip fails to recover from his injury.

Joe Gomez

Ragnar Klavan (CB)

The Estonian had a disappointing outing in Liverpool’s midweek defeat but is expected to feature once again due to the ongoing  back problem of Dejan Lovren, who has not trained for a week.

Alberto Moreno (LB)

Moreno was impressive against Sevilla and should return to the starting XI, replacing Andrew Robertson, who featured in Liverpool’s two previous outings.

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM)

The Dutchman is tipped to retain his place due to the injury concerns of German international Emre Can, who is yet to train following a knock in the game against Burnley.

James Milner (CM)

The versatile Englishman might have a first-team return in place of skipper Jordan Henderson who had a disappointing outing against the Foxes.

Philippe Coutinho (CM)

The Brazilian playmaker was the brightest Reds’ player in the midweek, before being hauled off at half-time. Should be a part of the playing XI on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah (RW)

The Egyptian speed merchant has been an instant hit for the Reds and is set for a start after being rested against his Saturday evening opponents on Tuesday night.

Roberto Firmino (LW)

The Brazilian has struggled in a wide role so far but is expected to make way for Daniel Sturridge and feature on the left flank.

Daniel Sturridge (ST)

Sturridge has managed to keep himself fit but is lacking sharpness. The Englishman desperately needs to return to form if he is handed a start against Leicester, in order to end Liverpool’s lack of composure in front of goal.

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