Paul Gorst - Pretty much all change in defence
Liverpool’s Champions League hopes have surely faded entirely now, leaving Jurgen Klopp with the strange feeling of having virtually nothing to play for between now and the end of May.
The optimists among you might denounce such statements but a 13-point gap to the top four with 30 left to grab makes it very difficult. And if we’re being honest, this horrorshow of a season does not deserve a top-four place.
Anfield remains largely a formidable place for opponents to visit, though, so today is a huge test for title hopefuls Arsenal. The Reds won’t be handing the Gunners anything on a plate.
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Midfield-wise, I expect Harvey Elliott to come back into the team after a rare break on Tuesday night. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson keep their place with Thiago Alcantara in reserve.
Up top, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo return alongside Darwin Nunez, who starts off the left.
In defence, it’s pretty much all change. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson all come back into the side.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Ian Doyle - Joe Gomez keeps his place
It’s the big one today. For Arsenal.
Liverpool, though, have different aims with the reality Europa League football is the best they can hope for next season. Sixth place minimum is the target now.
That means there can be a bit of creativity with the the line-up. I’d return left-back Andy Robertson and centre-back Virgil van Dijk to the defence alongside Joe Gomez at right-back and Ibrahima Konate at centre-back. Alisson Becker is in goal.
Midfield sees a mixture. Fabinho can stay as the anchor, but Thiago Alcantara is available and can go on the left of the three with Harvey Elliott returning to the right.
Up top, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are back in on the right and centre respectively with Darwin Nunez staying on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Tim Abraham - Same XI that humiliated Manchester United
Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 4-0 the last time they met in the Premier League at Anfield in November 2021.
Jurgen Klopp's team selection that day was bold as they ended the Gunners' 10-match unbeaten run. Bold to the extent that he picked a midfield triumvirate of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho and Thiago. Some 500 days later and the landscape looks very different.
Liverpool's hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League football next season are in the balance, but Klopp will turn to positivity rather than pragmatism.
Having rested, rotated or dropped players for Chelsea (depending on your viewpoint) the Reds boss will bring back his big names in an attempt to rediscover their joie de vivre.
Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Kostas Tsimikas, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are set to make way for the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo respectively.
Indeed, Klopp will put his faith in the entire same XI which humiliated Manchester United 7-0 at the start of last month.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Charlotte Coates - Expect plenty of changes
Liverpool are back in action at Anfield for the first time since that 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United in March. How they could do with another performance like that after the recent dismal showings from Jurgen Klopp's side.
Like the draw at Chelsea, expect plenty of changes to the Liverpool starting line-up here as they look to put a dent in Arsenal's title hopes
In goal, as always, will be Alisson Becker. After sitting out Tuesday's draw, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will return to the full-back slots with Virgil van Dijk returning from illness to partner Ibrahima Konate in the heart of the defence.
Thiago Alcantara is back after eight weeks out and will return to the midfield alongside Harvey Elliott and Fabinho.
Up front, Klopp should deploy Cody Gakpo, Darwn Nunez and Mohamed Salah to take on a talented Gunners defence.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
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