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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Ian Doyle & Jake Bayliss

Liverpool line-ups as Luis Diaz and Naby Keita decisions made for Norwich

Winds of change as Luis Diaz starts

Ian Doyle: The enemy of football is likely to be the most difficult opponent for Liverpool today when they entertain Norwich City in the Premier League.

And Jurgen Klopp will surely make some changes for a windy afternoon ahead.

But what's the Reds boss to do?

For me, it's time to let Kostas Tsmikas have a go at left-back. He's already played twice against Norwich this season so deserves a hat-trick.

READ MORE: Liverpool have another Roberto Firmino alternative after fresh injury blow

READ MORE: Full Liverpool squad available for Norwich City after Diogo Jota injury blow

Ibrahima Konate can continue at centre-back as I'd keep Joel Matip back for the next two matches. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold can complete the defence.

In midfield, Fabinho can have a rest with his place taken by Jordan Henderson. Thiago Alcantara can stay in and Naby Keita replaces Harvey Elliott.

Up front, both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane can have a breather with their spots taken by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luis Diaz. Roberto Firmino replaces the crocked Diogo Jota down the middle.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Thiago, Keita; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Firmino, Diaz.

Luis Diaz unleashed and Kostas Tsimikas returns

Sean Bradbury: Liverpool play five of their next six games at Anfield.

But, crucially, the one elsewhere is a Wembley final against Chelsea.

With that in mind, Jurgen Klopp may be tempted to rotate and rejig for the two matches before the League Cup showdown.

Joel Matip comes back into the defence for me, along with Kostas Tsimkas.

Fabinho sits deep in midfield with Jordan Henderson and Thiago ahead of him.

It's tempting to rest at least one of those three senior men, but Leeds in midweek offers another opportunity.

Luis Diaz is unleashed from the start with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino joining him in attack.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.

*Pick your own LFC team to face Norwich

Luis Diaz to get another chance to shine at Anfield

Jake Bayliss: I expect to see a couple of changes after the Reds fought hard to grind out their win against Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Though Ibrahima Konate received well-earned plaudits for his performance, it’d be a surprise to see him oust Joel Matip for two games in a row.

Other than that, I expect Jurgen Klopp to name the same backline with Kostas Tsimikas possibly in line to start against Leeds in midweek instead, ahead of the Carabao Cup Final.

Midfield is the real question mark. It is unlikely Harvey Elliott will be risked to start back-to-back games so soon after his injury, while Jordan Henderson proved to be a game-changing presence against Inter.

Fabinho will likely retain his spot at the base of midfield and I’ll go for Naby Keita to complete the trio.

Diogo Jota’s injury is a blow for Jurgen Klopp but Roberto Firmino is a ready-made replacement.

Given that the Liverpool boss avoided starting Luis Diaz because of the physical aspect posed by Burnley last weekend, I can see the Colombian coming in against Norwich to help keep Sadio Mane fresh.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.

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