LIVERPOOL’S SHOT AT REDEMPTION AGAINST PALACE: WHO MAKES THE STARTING XI?

After Liverpool’s disastrous performance in their 3-0 home loss to Atalanta on Thursday, all eyes are on the Reds’ quest for the Premier League crown, where a mistake of this magnitude is not acceptable. If Jurgen Klopp’s team is to take the trophy at the conclusion of the season, they will likely need to win all seven of their remaining Premier League games.

Many fans will be demanding significant changes to Klopp’s starting lineup in light of Thursday’s performance. Taking that into consideration, let’s examine the players we believe Klopp will start with on Sunday.

KLOPP’S SHAKY DEFENCE

Liverpool’s defence was the finest in the nation at one stage during the season, but they have now lost eight straight games in all competitions without a clean sheet. However, Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal for this game as Alisson Becker continues to heal from his injury.

Virgil Van Dijk will get out to his typical start ahead of him, while Jarell Quansah should be his companion in the rear. On Thursday, Ibou Konate will return to the bench after playing the entire ninety minutes.

Andy Robertson, who has been playing well since coming back from injury, will undoubtedly start at left back. Klopp will find that decision much easier given Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez’s disastrous performances during the week. It’s highly likely that Conor Bradley will start on the other side.

Verdict: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas

BIG DECISIONS IN THE MIDFIELD

Honestly, following the midfield’s disastrous performance on Thursday, it’s difficult to select three players to start. Alexis Mac Allister will likely fill one of the eight positions ahead of Wataru Endo at the base of the midfield.

Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Dominik Szoboszlai are the next in line for the last midfield spot. Jones doesn’t appear ready to play just yet; it appears that Thursday was too soon for him. Szoboszlai might get the remaining spots here because I believe he will be selected for the return leg in Atlanta.

Elliott won’t be forced wide and will instead get his well-earned opportunity in the midfield three. Hopefully, the young player can have a similar impression on Sunday after scoring a fantastic late winner in the season’s rematch against Crystal Palace.

Verdict: Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott

JOTA’S RETURN?

Diogo Jota’s return to the starting lineup will be much-needed by Liverpool fans after the Reds’ recent wasteful performances. But Sunday is probably going to arrive too soon for the forward to be included in the starting lineup. Darwin Nunez will so continue to play a pivotal role in the front three.

Despite his strong performance on Thursday, Cody Gakpo will be benched in favour of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, who will undoubtedly return to the starting lineup. I wouldn’t be entirely against the Dutchman getting off to a start, though.

Verdict: Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott, Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Bench: Adrian, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas, Jones, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Jota

See more updates on https://sportupdates.co.uk/