Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Manchester City: 26-year-old shifts position, Jurgen Klopp drops ‘blistering’ player

After Arsenal beat Brentford on Saturday evening, the Reds go into the game in second place. Only a win will take them back to the summit, but Pep Guardiola’s champions are on a roll and only a point behind. Here’s the XI we think Liverpool will put out today.

Defence
With Alisson Becker still injured, Caoimhin Kelleher will start an eighth consecutive game for the first time ever. He may not be of the same level as his opposite number, Ederson, but Kelleher is in great form. This is perhaps the biggest game of his career so far.

Another facing probably the most monumental match of his short career is Conor Bradley, who will surely start at right-back.

The only thing that could stop Bradley from being on the team sheet is if Ibrahima Konate is fit. But with Konate seemingly unlikely to make it, Joe Gomez will be needed at centre-back instead of full-back. Having started on the right in Thursday’s win over Sparta Prague, it’s a shift of position for the 26-year-old.

Next to Gomez will be the imperious captain Virgil van Dijk. Meanwhile, Andy Robertson will complete the back five.

Midfield
Beset by injuries, Liverpool’s midfield should be relatively straight forward to predict.

Despite the fact that they are still missing a couple of players who would add greater depth, it’s likely that the three available are actually Jurgen Klopp’s first choice midfield.

Wataru Endo is certainly the man with the shirt in the No.6 position and he’ll have a big job on tomorrow.

So too will the partnership of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. Szoboszlai’s return to fitness could hardly have been better timed, while Mac Allister has been one of Liverpool’s best players recently. Put together, that looks like a pretty good midfield

Attack
Owing to Mohamed Salah making his comeback, Klopp has more options in attack than he’s had for weeks. Neigh, months.

Salah will surely start in a game which has been billed to have been ‘made for him.’ His availability is certainly a big boost for Liverpool.

The Egyptian has struck up a good partnership with Darwin Nunez this season and the Reds will be hoping that the pair can turn it on again tomorrow. Between them they carry their team’s biggest goal threat.

Luis Diaz shouldn’t be disregarded in that regard, though. The Colombian has five goals in his last 10 games and will likely go again from Liverpool’s left. Cody Gakpo – described as ‘blistering’ by Joe Cole this season – is a little unlucky to drop out, but will be a great option from the bench.