View: Slot to axe 93% Kelleher despite Real Madrid heroics – Liverpool predicted XI v Man City
Caoimhin Kelleher could be axed from the Liverpool starting XI for Sunday’s clash with Manchester City despite his penalty heroics against Real Madrid.
The Irishman saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty in the 2-0 victory over the reigning European champions in midweek but it may not be enough to keep his place.
The Reds can go 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a win at Anfield (1 December), with Pep Guardiola’s side going through a torrid time.
The Citizens have failed to win their last six matches in all competitions after the stunning capitulation in the 3-3 draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday (26 November).
Arne Slot is seeking to compound their misery and take a huge step towards lifting the Premier League title in May.
Liverpool hero Caoimhin Kelleher set to be dropped?
Caoimhin Kelleher has been unflappable since Alisson was injured in the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace (5 October).
Alisson could come straight back into the starting line-up despite Kelleher’s performance against Madrid in which he saved Mbappe’s penalty, had a 93 per cent passing accuracy and prevented a total of 1.47 xG [Fotmob].
The Brazilian was not named by Arne Slot in his pre-match press conference [29 November] when he talked about injuries, so could make his return against Guardiola’s side.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to return from the hamstring injury he suffered against Aston Villa (9 November), with Conor Bradley likely to be ruled out for at least a month with the same injury [Paul Joyce, The Times, 28 November].
The Northern Irishman put in a superb display against the Spanish side, recording an assist, completing 86 per cent of his passes, creating one chance, having three touches in the opposition box and making eight passes into the final third.
Defensively, he won seven of his 11 ground duels for a 64 per cent success rate, 100 per cent of his aerial duels and made nine ball recoveries.
Ibrahima Konate ruled out v Man City
Ibrahima Konate was immense against Madrid as he won all four of his ground duels and his only aerial duel for a 100 per cent success rate.
However, he confirmed that he is set for time on the sidelines in an instagram post on Friday afternoon so either Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez will partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Reds defence.
Andy Robertson should get the nod at left-back with Kostas Tsimikas injured. The Scotsman was excellent on Wednesday, making one interception, six recoveries and completing 100 per cent of his two tackles.
The midfield should remain the same, Ryan Gravenberch’s performance at the base of it went under the radar in midweek, as he won 100 per cent of his two tackles attempted, made two interceptions and three ball recoveries.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the opening goal, had a 92 per cent passing accuracy, made eight passes into the final third and made three recoveries.
Curtis Jones was hailed for another fantastic performance and has nailed down a place in Slot’s preferred team.
Against the 15-time Champions League winners, the Englishman created two chances, had 11 touches in the opposition box and made seven passes into the final third.
It was his defending that really caught the eye however, with the recent England debutant making five recoveries and winning seven of his 11 overall duels for a 64 per cent success rate.
Mohamed Salah looks set to start on the right-wing, meanwhile. The Egyptian has 22 goal contributions in 19 matches in all competitions, and is responsible for 67 per cent of the Reds’ Premier League goals this season so far, while his like-for-like replacement Federico Chiesa is still injured.
Darwin Nunez should also start – the 25-year-old was at his chaotic best against the Spanish side.
The Uruguayan was a nuisance until he was substituted in the 68th minute, recording the second most pressures in the match (24), more than Madrid’s entire front line [Sean Rogers, X per Statsbomb].
His pace and energy will be a huge asset for the Reds on Sunday.
On the left-flank, Luis Diaz should get the nod over Cody Gakpo despite the Dutchman’s goal midweek.
The Colombian winger had five touches in the opposition box, created 0.54xG and had a 91 per cent pass accuracy in the win over Madrid and his directness will cause City more problems.
In other Liverpool news, Opta’s Super Computer has predicted the Reds to win the Premier League.
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