Liverpool face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium today without Luis Diaz and several other players
Jurgen Klopp will not name Luis Diaz to Liverpool’s traveling squad for today’s match against Manchester City. The Reds travel to the Etihad (12.30pm) to face reigning champions City, hoping to rekindle their Premier League top-four hopes after a string of poor results before the international break. Express Sport looks at how Liverpool are likely to line up…
Alisson is the goalkeeper.
There will be no surprises in goal, where Alisson will look to replicate his clean sheet against City from October at Anfield. It is unclear whether Erling Haaland, the 42-goal superstar, will be available to face Liverpool.
However, Brazilian No. 1 Alisson has only conceded once in his last three league away games and is capable of having a significant impact on the outcome of today’s game regardless of whether Haaland plays or not.
Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, and Robertson are the defenders.
Despite criticism of Trent Alexander-defending, Arnold’s Liverpool knows they need to be positive against City, and having a local-born right-back start is a huge help. As a result, he will be chosen over James Milner or Joe Gomez.
The back four should remain unchanged from Liverpool’s last outing, a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. This would imply that Ibrahima Konate would partner Virgil van Dijk rather than Joel Matip. Gomez, who was injured in Madrid, should be back on the bench. Andy Robertson will remain at left-back.
Fabinho, Henderson, and Elliott play in the midfield.
Liverpool were dealt the devastating news two weeks ago that the season of the blossoming Stefan Bajcetic was over, while Naby Keita sustained a new injury over the break. Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara is still out, so veteran Milner should return to the starting lineup as Klopp’s first change.
Captain Jordan Henderson should take his place, with Fabinho remaining the midfield’s rock. Without Thiago, Keita, or Bajcetic’s energy, Harvey Elliott should be expected to provide some legs in the middle, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain an option to provide new dynamism from the bench.
Attackers Salah, Nunez, and Gakpo Diaz will not even be on the substitutes’ bench after Klopp confirmed he still has stages to go before being considered for selection. However, there was a positive update on Darwin Nunez, who appears to be fit to face City and, if so, will start through the middle.
Mohamed Salah has 10 goals against City and scored the game-winning goal at Anfield against Guardiola and co. He’ll likely start on the right, with Cody Gakpo likely to start on the left. Diogo Jota, who has struggled to find form since returning from injury, would be the second XI change.
From the bench, the Portuguese attacker and Roberto Firmino will be game changers. Fabio Carvalho, who scored in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup loss at the Etihad before Christmas, will also be hoping to be among the reserves.
Full Liverpool XI vs. Manchester City lineup: Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo; Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson;
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