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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp faces Diogo Jota decision as Liverpool midfield woes poised to ease

Liverpool bounced back from their dismal defeat in Italy last week by defeating Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Joel Matip struck late on and Mohamed Salah also netted as the Reds earned a 2-1 triumph at Anfield. Liverpool now have a lengthy wait before they resume their campaign at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League at the start of next month.

And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action.

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Konate comeback?

The long wait between games for Liverpool, while frustrating in terms of building momentum and rhythm, will at least allow them more time to prepare injured players for a return to action.

Among them is Ibrahima Konate, who Klopp said earlier this month should be back in training during the international break. It would, though, be a big ask to throw the French defender straight back in at centre-back, particularly with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk having impressed against Ajax. Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips are the other options.

Gomez can also cover at right-back for Trent Alexander-Arnold with summer signing Calvin Ramsay yet to train properly with his new team.

If Andy Robertson cannot shake off the knee problem that sidelined him in midweek, Kostas Tsimikas will continue at left-back after an impressive showing against Ajax.

Middle options

Jordan Henderson could be back, and having the skipper available after a hamstring complaint would offer Klopp some much-needed variety in the engine room.

The return of Thiago Alcantara in the last two games has been a major boost, with Fabinho a mainstay in the defensive midfield role. Harvey Elliott has continued on the right of the three but has struggled to make an impact in recent outings.

James Milner and loan signing Arthur Melo are possibilities, while Fabio Carvalho offers a more attacking choice. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones all remain out. Teenager Stefan Bajcetic, meanwhile, made his Champions League debut as an injury-time substitute on Tuesday.

For the second time in three games, Roberto Firmino came off the bench during the second half to feature in an advanced midfield role.

Nunez competition

The impact of Diogo Jota on his first start of the season was a reminder of the versatility offered by the Portuguese, who against Ajax played down the middle.

Klopp can also turn to both Firmino and Darwin Nunez - who was inconsistent from the bench in midweek - in a central role, although it is out wide where Jota can perhaps ease the burden on left-winger Luis Diaz and, on the opposite flank, Mohamed Salah.

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