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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp faces Luis Diaz conundrum as Liverpool consider midfield overhaul

Liverpool maintained their quadruple quest with a memorable FA Cup final win over Chelsea on Saturday at Wembley.

Kostas Tsimikas netted the decisive penalty as the Reds earned a dramatic 6-5 penalty shoot-out success after an absorbing goalless draw. Liverpool will now look to move within a point of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with victory at Southampton on Tuesday evening.

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

READ MORE: What Liverpool need to do to win Premier League title after Man City drop points

READ MORE: Man City stumble could mean Liverpool change for Jurgen Klopp at Southampton

Gomez on standby

Klopp made it clear in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool's Wembley triumph that changes would be necessary at St Mary's. And there is likely to be heavy rotation, even allowing for City dropping points at West Ham United on Sunday.

Alisson Becker is one player who will remain in the starting line-up between the sticks. After that, though, there could be a number of changes to the back line.

Left-back Tsimikas seems likely to replace Andy Robertson, who was forced off during extra time on Saturday with cramp. Virgil van Dijk also had to depart early as a precaution after complaining of a twinge in his knee, meaning Joel Matip is almost certain to return at centre-back alongside either Ibrahima Konate or Joe Gomez.

Gomez, however, could be required at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold having come through 120 minutes at Wembley.

Midfield question

The ongoing absence of Fabinho means Jordan Henderson is set to be asked to go again in the defensive midfield role, although James Milner could, at least for an hour, do a similar job at Southampton.

Thiago Alcantara seems primed to be rested having played the full game at the weekend while Naby Keita could start having been replaced midway through the second half.

But this might be an occasion for some of the fringe options to play a part. Curtis Jones started at Aston Villa last week, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will want to at least be on the bench against his former team having not featured in a matchday Premier League squad for six weeks. Harvey Elliott is another looking for force his way back into the 20-man party.

Firmino time?

Similar to Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah is almost certain to be absent after departing with a slight injury at Wembley. Luis Diaz was Liverpool's most potent attacker but was exhausted on being replaced early in extra time and may need minutes managed over the next week.

Sadio Mane got through the entire match, while Diogo Jota played just short of 90. Roberto Firmino, as a late substitute, made his first appearance in eight games after injury, and could be lined up for a start.

And both Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino - who hasn't kicked a ball in almost two months - will feel this could be a chance for involvement.

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