Jurgen Klopp could make several changes from the midweek Champions League clash as Liverpool take on a struggling Stoke City in the Premier League.
Liverpool have one foot in the Champions League final, but the European competition is the only one they are fighting in. In the Premier League, they still stand a good chance of finishing second. Despite that, Jurgen Klopp is likely to make several changes in order to rest players against Stoke City ahead of the second leg of the Champions League.
Loris Karius is set to command the goal, but the entire back-four in front of him is likely to be changed. Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno should be deployed to guard either flank, with Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez likely to be the centre-backs.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to miss the rest of the season and the World Cup after his injury against AS Roma in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Champions League, while we should see James Milner rested against Stoke. This could see a rare start for Ben Woodburn, who should be alongside Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum in the three-man midfield.
In attack, Mohamed Salah should start, keeping in mind the player’s hunt to become the Golden Boot winner in the Premier League combined with the fact that Liverpool do need to win in order to keep up the pressure on Manchester United.
Apart from Salah though, the two-thirds of the golden trio – Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are unlikely to feature. Firmino will likely be rested while Sadio Mane is nursing his injury, which although not a serious one, should see Klopp not risk the superstar during the weekend. Klopp highlighted the same during his pre-match conference on Friday.
“It is not that serious; there is a chance for tomorrow. If we use that chance or not… it is quite early in the day. In these times, you always have to use each second and minute, speak to the player, speak to the Doc, speak to the physiotherapists and all that stuff. At the end, you have to make a decision and I will make a decision.”
We should see starts for Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings alongside Salah and the two strikers would be eager to make their mark for the season ahead.
