A look at how Liverpool might lineup when they are hosted by Brentford on January 2 as Klopp considers a midfield reshuffle.
While the majority of the injury problems that blighted Liverpool’s first half of the campaign have largely cleared up, Jurgen Klopp is still dealing with a handful of problems as 2023 rolls in.
The Reds travel to Brentford on January 2 looking to make it three successive post-Christmas victories and five on the spin in the Premier League dating back to before the break for the World Cup.
And while the crippling midfield injury problems have subsided significantly, Klopp is still unable to rotate too heavily thanks to the number of players on the shelf. The Reds head to West London without Curtis Jones, James Milner and Arthur Melo as well as long-term absentees Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. Roberto Firmino is also a doubt, while new-boy Cody Gakpo is not expected to be involved.
That, then, leaves Klopp’s options stretched to an extent. At the back, he does at least have the option of recalling Ibrahima Konate after his exploits for World Cup finalists France in Qatar. The centre-half was in the squad for Friday’s 2-1 win over Leicester but sat on the bench all night.
Konate has made just two Premier League appearances this term and could use an injection of momentum into his campaign. Perhaps the visit to Brentford is the ideal time to give him that, then?
Andy Robertson was not at his brilliant best against Leicester and was withdrawn for Kostas Tsimikas but with Wolves to come in the FA Cup on January 7, that affords Klopp the chance to make wholesale changes so the Scotland captain will likely keep his Premier League place.
As ever, it’s in midfield where the big decisions have to be made. Fabinho missed the win over Leicester as his partner, Rebeca, was expecting their first child, so the Brazilian midfielder should be ready to return on Monday evening.
Thiago Alcantara was outstanding against Leicester but for a player whose durability has never been one of his many gifts, will Klopp risk a third game in a week for the former Bayern Munich man? That’s a delicate call the manager must get right. An injury to Thiago would be hugely detrimental but his importance to the team is sizable.
Naby Keita is another vying for a recall, at least. The Guinea midfielder has not started a game all season, so does this trip to Brentford give Klopp the opportunity to do that? Jordan Henderson and Harvey Elliott will also be in contention.
Up top, the options are less plentiful. Fabio Carvalho may come back into the fold after missing out for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left of the front three but Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah are expected to start. The former has been a livewire in recent games but has yet to add to his pre-World Cup haul of nine goals, despite a number of presentable chances. His all-round game, however, has been a source of encouragement as his burgeoning partnership with Salah continues to develop.
SOURCE: liverpoolecho.co.uk
