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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp could face difficult Joe Gomez decision as Liverpool consider change

Liverpool suffered another dismal low of an increasingly rollercoaster campaign with a historic 5-2 Champions League loss at home to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Early goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah were soon wiped out as the Reds suffered their worst-ever home European defeat in the round of 16 first leg. Liverpool will now look to bounce back when they aim for a third successive Premier League win with their trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday evening.

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

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Gomez wait

So poor was Liverpool's defending against Real Madrid that there would be reason for Jurgen Klopp to rotate everyone out of the starting line-up.

Alisson Becker, though, is almost certain to remain in goal, while Andy Robertson was at least near to his level and should remain ahead of Kostas Tsimikas at left-back.

Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are potentially the only two senior centre-backs available with Ibrahima Konate still injured, Joe Gomez struggling with a hamstring problem and Nat Phillips not involved against Real having missed training the previous day.

Should Gomez be sidelined, with Calvin Ramsay ruled out for the remainder of the season it leaves James Milner as the only realistic alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

Keita question

Having started the last three games together, and with the Palace game coming only four days after the Real beating, Liverpool are in need of a refresh in midfield.

It would be no surprise to see at least one or more of Stefan Bajcetic, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho rotated to the bench, with all three at times looking tired on Tuesday. Only Fabinho lasted the full 90 minutes.

Milner emerged from the bench while Naby Keita, a starter earlier in the month, would be another option. Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were beneficiaries of the greater number of substitutes allowed in the Champions League and will most likely be scrapping for a place on the bench.

Harvey Elliott, who has featured in every game this season, could reprise his midfield role of earlier in the campaign. Arthur Melo has yet to feature after returning to training following his long-term injury while Thiago Alcantara remains out.

Duo standing by

Klopp also has scope to rotate his attack. Darwin Nunez was deemed fit enough to start against Real after suffering a shoulder issue at Newcastle United, but similar to Cody Gakpo was replaced long before the final whistle.

Both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino continued their quest for match fitness with each having a third successive substitute appearance on the left and down the centre respectively, while Mohamed Salah again lasted the full match on the right flank.

Elliott and Fabio Carvalho are also standing by, while teenage winger Ben Doak is back available after a short spell out injured.

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