Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst & Tom Cavilla

Liverpool line-ups as Thiago and Harvey Elliott decisions made for Leeds United

Keita and Elliott unleashed against Leeds

Paul Gorst: Another huge week of action for Liverpool it is then.

Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino may be kept in reserve as they continue their best efforts to declare themselves fit for Sunday's Carabao Cup final, but there is still plenty to choose from for this one.

In midfield, I'm opting to rest both Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara with Sunday's game against Chelsea in mind. Harvey Elliott and Naby Keita will have enough guile and craft about them to open up Leeds.

Fabinho keeps his usual place at the base of the midfield, though, and I'm also rewarding Joe Gomez for a good performance on Saturday against Norwich with a return to his favoured position at the back alongside Virgil van Dijk.

LIVE: Liverpool vs Leeds - score updates and analysis from Anfield

Andy Robertson comes in for Kostas Tsimikas at left-back too with the same front three who started that 3-1 win over Norwich continuing on with Sadio Mane down the middle.

With the chance to go within three points of Manchester City at the top, this just feels like a big one, doesn't it?

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Keita, Elliott; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

READ MORE: Liverpool and FSG given £12.5bn Champions League boost as 'new dawn' begins

READ MORE: Alex Ferguson blanked Liverpool legend for '20 years' after overhearing private joke

Changes in defence and midfield to continue title charge

Ian Doyle: Is that the summit we spy?

No need to get carried away just yet. But victory over Leeds United would put Liverpool within striking distance of Manchester City, who not that long ago were 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

What, then, is Klopp to do?

The timings of the games this week have been helpful. There's been enough gap from the win over Norwich City last Saturday, and the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea isn't until late Sunday afternoon.

It means Liverpool can go strong - so expect a lot of changes.

I'd bring back Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate to the defence to join Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

In midfield, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara can start. The third spot, though, is an interesting one. And I'm going for Curtis Jones to come in from the cold to begin the game.

Up top, it has to be Luis Diaz left, Sadio Mane down the middle and Mohamed Salah on the right.

The bench looks strong, too. With all the games coming up over the next four weeks, that's important.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Jones; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Elliott comes in as cup final chemistry builds

Sean Bradbury: This is a tricky one.

Every game in the league is must win, yet there is also a cup final on the horizon.

Jurgen Klopp rotated for the Norwich game - but some stars will surely return to build rhythm ahead of Wembley.

I would bring back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, with Ibrahima Konate also getting the nod.

In midfield it is a trio of Fabinho, Thiago and Harvey Elliott.

Changes in the centre would be planned for the hour mark if things were going to plan.

Up front, it is difficult to see past Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

In all probability that trio will have to start three games in a row, including Norwich and throwing forward to Chelsea.

That's arguably not ideal in normal circumstances, but at least this is another chance to build chemistry before the Carabao Cup showdown.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Origi and Konate start ahead of cup final

Tom Cavilla: It is a make-or-break period for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Victory over tonight’s opponents, Leeds United, would see Liverpool move to within three points of Manchester City in the Premier League. With a cup final on the horizon, though, the Reds’ boss may choose to omit key personnel.

Alisson Becker is a near certainty to start given Caoimhin Kelleher will feature between the sticks on Sunday.

Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold could be recalled to the side after being rested against Norwich City, with Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez dropping back down to the bench.

It could be the turn of Joel Matip to sit one game out, paving the way for Ibrahima Konate to partner the ever-dependable Virgil van Dijk.

In midfield, rotation can again be expected on the back of Saturday’s triumph.

Jordan Henderson may well retain his starting spot, though Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita could miss out on this occasion.

James Milner would act as a reliable option for Klopp for a match of this magnitude while Fabinho could make a return in this department.

First-team minutes have been in short supply for Divock Origi in the last few weeks, who can join Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in attack.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Origi, Mane.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.