Is This The Strongest Liverpool Line-up Without Mane In The Starting XI?

The African Cup of Nations kick off on January 14 and a particular Premier League team set to suffer a huge blow as a result is Liverpool.

One of their biggest contributors of the season Sadio Mane, won’t be available for at least 3 games as he will be representing the west African nation of Senegal in the continental showpiece.

With that in mind, how will Klopp’s starting XI be with Liverpool’s scorer of 6 league goals away on international break?

Formation : 4-3-3

GK – Karius

The goalie has gone from strength to strength to establish his reign as Klopp’s number 1 thus far and should continue in goal except for injury interrupts.

LB – Milner

Doesn’t seem Moreno will be getting back into the starting XI even for the second half of the season since he got dropped after the Arsenal clash.

Milner isn’t just ready to lose his starting berth anytime soon.

CB – Matip

The Cameroonian defender has willingly sacrificed a chance to line-up for his country at the Gabon-held AFCON solely to continue focusing on the start of what has been an excellent Liverpool career thus far.

So come January, we won’t be seeing Klavan or Sakho at the back for the Reds. Great relief for Klopp.

CB – Lovren

Lovren should be completely free from the virus infections he has suffered this season by winter.

He has missed 3 games due to it already and can’t afford to miss more at such an important period of the campaign.

RB – Clyne

Chances are Barcelona would attempt to lure the England international away come January as their search for a full-back could have heightened by then.

Despite having Clyne on their transfer list, it doesn’t seem the English defender will be leaving Anfield anytime soon.

CML – Lallana

The versatile midfielder has also missed a couple of games this term to some knocks. But with him free of additional commitments as the next international break isn’t until March, Adam shouldn’t have any fitness issues when the reverse fixtures start.

CMC – Henderson

Liverpool’s skipper has been excellent thus far, but having seen just 16 minutes rest in all 12 Premier League fixtures he has featured in, Klopp would hope fatigue doesn’t set in by January.

At the moment, only a player has made more tackles, but none has made more passes than him, with the closest to him some 119 passes away.

He has also covered most distance, and with such work rate of his, Liverpool would need him more when it really matters most next year.

CMR – Can

The German has started the last 5 Premier League games and looks to have sealed a starting spot for himself following Wijnaldum’s injury last month.

Doesn’t look like he would letting go of it soon.

LW – Firmino

With Mane out, the makeshift centre-forward would most likely be returned to his primary position on the left wing. And he should still be at his devastating best on the flanks.

RW – Coutinho

Phil has played on the left because of Mane this term, but he is the best candidate for the soon-to-be-vacant spot come January as it’s the role he takes up in the national team.

So much versatility in one brilliant player.

CF – Sturridge

January could be his opportunity to hold down a starting spot having failed to do so since August, and just maybe some goals and high work rate from him will earn him that.

There are also rumours linking him away from the club, and peradventure the unexpected happens, Origi will rise to the occasion.