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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp facing Luis Diaz decision ahead of Liverpool midfield changes

Liverpool will look to keep pace with Manchester City as they continue their Premier League title challenge this weekend.

The Reds extended their run of form to just two defeats in 45 games after a solid 2-0 success at home to Leicester City on Thursday.

Liverpool now face the short trip to Lancashire to take on rock-bottom Burnley on Sunday.

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

Konate question

Liverpool have the rare luxury of having a full-strength squad from which to choose at the weekend.

However, with the Champions League resuming at Inter Milan next Wednesday, there is likely to be some rotation with the Burnley clash the second of three games inside seven days.

A possible change is at centre-back, where Joel Matip partnered Virgil van Dijk against Leicester. Ibrahima Konate has moved ahead of Joe Gomez in the pecking order and will be pushing for a start.

Alisson Becker should continue in goal ahead of Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to remain at right-back.

Kostas Tsimikas, though, may be a realistic alternative to Andy Robertson at left-back, although next Saturday's visit of Norwich City seems a more likely chance to start.

Henderson to return?

All eight of Liverpool's senior midfield players have been given minutes in the last three games, six from the start.

So Klopp has plenty to consider ahead of the trip to Burnley, although a repeat of the 4-4-2 formation used at Turf Moor in 2018 appears unlikely.

Arguably the biggest call will be whether to recall Jordan Henderson with the skipper available after a back problem forced him to miss the Leicester victory.

Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara, who both started against the Foxes, have yet to lose a game when partnered in midfield, although the latter could be benched with Liverpool mindful not to over-exert the Spaniard after his return from injury.

The Reds are similarly being careful with Harvey Elliott, who has made two successive substitute outings after almost five months out.

Curtis Jones also began in midweek, but he could come under pressure from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. James Milner is another possibility.

Diaz and Mane challenge

While Sadio Mane is available, there is every chance he could be restricted to bench duty at best following his Africa Cup of Nations exertions.

But with Mohamed Salah now raring to go, Klopp faces a genuine poser in attack.

Luis Diaz impressed on his full debut against Leicester City while Diogo Jota, who started on the left, scored twice, and Roberto Firmino played down the middle.

One will have to make way if, as anticipated, Salah is handed a start. And with Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi also challenging, Klopp has plenty of options up front.

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