Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch axed – Predicted Liverpool XI vs Manchester United
Jurgen Klopp is predicted to make a pair of changes to his Liverpool line up for the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday (7 April) in a rematch of the dramatic FA Cup defeat on 17 March.
After recording an important 3-1 victory over Sheffield United at Anfield on 4 April the German is likely to revert to his strongest available line-up as he looks for a Premier League response to the cup exit.
Having rested Wataru Endo for the visit of the Blades and handed Ryan Gravenberch his first start since an ankle injury Klopp is predicted to bring the Japanese international back in at the base of the midfield at the expense of the young Dutchman.
And after Andy Robertson came off the bench in the previous game following his own injury picked up on international duty with Scotland he is tipped to force Joe Gomez out of the starting line-up and take up his usual role at left-back.
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Alisson remains out with injury so Caoimhin Kelleher will continue his run of starts in goal, with Robertson tipped to come in on the left of a back line which is sure to contain senior central pairing Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk.
Conor Bradley’s presence at right-back for the previous two wins over Sheffield United and Brighton seems more worthwhile to maintain after the youngster’s impressive emergence this season, rather than dropping him and switching Gomez over to the right, with Trent Alexander-Arnold still around a week away from a return.
Klopp said there was a “big chance” for Endo to play on Sunday if he was rested for the midweek game [Premier Injuries] so unless there has been an unforeseen development he should come back at the base of the midfield behind Alexis Mac Allister, so impressive against the Blades, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
The front three while likely stay unchanged with star man Mohamed Salah on the right opposite Luis Diaz, who impressed Roy Keane in the win over the Seagulls, with Darwin Nunez up front.
Liverpool can hardly afford a repeat of the late 4-3 defeat on their return to Manchester with the title race so finely balanced, pending Manchester City and Arsenal’s Saturday results.
He will have to hope that the presence of Konaté, another man to return from injury in recent weeks, makes a key difference at the back, along with the predicted preference for Bradley over Gomez at right-back as the two changes from the previous visit.
In other Liverpool news, the Reds have announced their plans to introduce season ticket price rises for the new campaign.
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