Paul Gorst - Diamond not forever but it stays tonight as Thiago returns
Last season’s visit from Leeds United was one of the most comfortable of the campaign, but February’s 6-0 stroll is unlikely to be repeated this evening. Not without more of a fight anyway.
Jurgen Klopp’s side should take a sizeable amount of confidence from the midweek win at Ajax though as they aim to put together a strong end before the World Cup.
Ibrahima Konate can return at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. The Reds have kept three clean sheets in four games with Joe Gomez there but Konate needs to get his season on track at some point.
In midfield, the diamond may not necessarily be forever but it’s staying for tonight’s game as Thiago Alcantara returns alongside Fabinho and Harvey Elliott. Jordan Henderson can sit it out as a precaution and Roberto Firmino can roam at the top of it in that sort-of hybrid No.10 role.
Up top, Liverpool are unchanged for me. Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez lead the line.
My team (4-4-2): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott, Firmino; Salah, Nunez.
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Ian Doyle - Henderson and Jones start in a 4-2-3-1
Leeds United are in town and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has some decisions to make.
Who best to start in what is pretty much a game the Reds need to win to regain some Premier League momentum?
There doesn’t seem much reason to fiddle with the defence just yet. That means Alisson Becker in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, Andy Robertson on the other flank and Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in the centre.
Midfield as ever is the tricky one. I’d bring Thiago Alcantara in for Fabinho and let Jordan Henderson start again. It’s back to 4-2-3-1 for me and I want to see Harvey Elliott in the advanced role.
Up top, Mohamed Salah is right, Curtis Jones left and Darwin Nunez down the middle.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Elliott, Jones; Nunez.
Sean Bradbury - Thiago back as attackers can excel again
Once the Liverpool players got to grips with the midfield diamond formation against Ajax, things really started to flow.
Granted, there were still several chances given up. But it certainly got the best out of Harvey Elliott, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez in an attacking sense. That is the priority again here in a must-win home game.
It is tempting to bring Ibrahima Konate straight back in, but that can wait until Napoli in midweek.
Joe Gomez starts in defence, and Thiago Alcantara comes into the midfield in place of Jordan Henderson who can hopefully rest and fully recover from his recent knock.
My team (4-4-2): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago, Firmino; Salah, Nunez.
Charlotte Coates - Gomez gets the nod as formation retained
Liverpool are back in Premier League action in this very strange season for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Champions League last-16 qualification was secured on Wednesday with a 3-0 win over Ajax in Amsterdam, but last Saturday's loss at Nottingham Forest is a reminder of when things go badly.
The Reds welcome struggling Leeds to Anfield tonight as they have a chance to get back to winning ways in the league.
In goal will be Alisson Becker after he made his 200th appearance for Liverpool against Ajax. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will start either side of Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk at the back.
Klopp may keep his diamond formation with Fabinho at the bottom of it. Harvey Elliott and Thiago Alcantara will play just in front of the Brazilian with Roberto Firmino at the tip.
Up front forming a formidable duo will be Mohamed Salah and the in-form Darwin Nunez.
My team (4-4-2): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago, Firmino; Salah, Nunez.
Keifer MacDonald - Thiago back in the game
After Wednesday's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ajax in Amsterdam, Jurgen Klopp has something of a selection headache ahead of Leeds United's visit to Anfield this evening.
Of course, for Klopp and Liverpool fans alike, the dilemma of whether to launch Thiago Alcantara into the starting XI after a week out with an ear infection is very much a good thing to weigh up at the moment.
Apart from that, though, it should be more the same at Anfield when the teamsheets land fresh off the press at 6:45pm.
Obviously, Alisson Becker will start between the sticks - and boast Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk ahead of him, as the trio look to claim their fourth successive Anfield clean sheet.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will resume at left-back with Andy Robertson on the other flank, Kostas Tsimikas can be handed minutes during Tuesday's Champions League outing against Napoli.
Given that it was only an ear infection keeping Thiago out of action, the midfielder has to come straight back into the line-up alongside Fabinho. Jordan Henderson does not need to be risked from the start after his slight knock in Amsterdam in midweek. Harvey Elliott keeps his place on the right-hand side.
In attack, it's Roberto Firmino in between the lines and Momahed Salah and Darwin Nunez as the front two.
My team (4-4-2): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago, Firmino; Salah, Nunez.
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