Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is likely to hand Joe Gomez his first start since December last year, when his side take on Cardiff City on Sunday.
Liverpool will be aiming to return to the top of the Premier League table, when they go head to head against relegation battlers Cardiff City away from home on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool find themselves a point adrift of leaders Manchester City, who beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Saturday, and the Reds will be keen on returning to the perch with a victory against the Bluebirds. Their bid to secure all three points against Neil Warnock’s men has been aided by the fact that the Reds have no injury concerns heading into the game.
Dejan Lovren, who missed the 4-1 win against Porto in the midweek due to illness, is fit again, manager Jurgen Klopp revealed in his pre-match press conference. “Dejan was ill so he should be available again, we will see that,” the German said.
The Croat should return to the starting XI on Sunday, in place of Joel Matip, while Virgil van Dijk should make up the central defensive partnership in front of goalkeeper Alisson. Andrew Robertson is a guaranteed pick at left-back, but there could be a switch at right-back with Klopp likely to hand Joe Gomez his first start since returning from his injury.
Asked if Gomez is in line for a start this weekend, Klopp replied, “We will see; we have a lot of players with a lot of rhythm, which is good, but it’s good to have him. It’s very important.” The 21-year-old should replace compatriot Trent Alexander-Arnold in the lineup.
Klopp could also decide to shuffle the pack a bit in the middle of the park. Brazilian enforcer Fabinho has been an ever-present in recent matches and could do with a rest on Sunday. In his place, club captain Jordan Henderson could don the defensive midfield role, after having not started in the European encounter against Porto.
Another player who missed out of the starting XI in Portugal, Naby Keita, is in line for a recall. The Guinean has been showing great improvement recently and it is important that he plays regularly to be able to build on that momentum. He should replace James Milner in the team, with the third midfield slot likely to fall to Georginio Wijnaldum again.
Roberto Firmino made an appearance from the bench against Porto, but should take his rightful spot at the centre of Liverpool’s attack on Sunday, replacing Divock Origi. On either side of the Brazilian attacker will be star men Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, both of whom scored in the reverse fixture against Cardiff in October last year.
