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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst & Theo Squires & Hannah Pinnock & Richard Garnett

Liverpool lineups as Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota decisions made in major changes for Norwich City

Ian Doyle - Everybody changes

The FA Cup fifth round tie against Norwich City was always likely to see plenty of Liverpool rotation, but events at Wembley over 120 minutes and beyond mean there could be even more than expected.

Almost everyone, in fact.

So, what is Jurgen Klopp to do?

We know Caoimhin Kelleher isn't starting, so we have to assume Alisson Becker returns ahead of Adrian between the sticks.

The rest of the defence is almost new - Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez at centre-back and Kostas Tsimikas at left-back, but I'd keep Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

In midfield, Jordan Henderson went off after 79 minutes on Sunday so he can start, and the skipper will be joined by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones.

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Up top, Divock Origi is down the middle, with Takumi Minamino left and Harvey Elliott on the right.

With five substitutions allowed, expect a very strong bench in case they are needed.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas; Henderson, Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Elliott, Origi, Minamino.

Paul Gorst - Curtis Jones returns

Liverpool must ensure it’s not a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show this evening.

It’d be a crying shame for Jurgen Klopp if his team slipped up at home against a relegation-threatened Norwich who are likely to rotate at Anfield.

After 120 minutes plus a nerve-shredding shootout on Sunday, I’m expecting changes and Klopp has already confirmed that Alisson Becker will return.

In defence, I’m naming Conor Bradley alongside Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas.

James Milner, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain make up my midfield with Tyler Morton also on the bench if needed to give a bit of solidity.

Diogo Jota, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino can alternate across the front three with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah in reserve should the game not go according to plan.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas; Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones; Minamino, Jota, Origi.

Theo Squires - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain given nod

Just three days after their League Cup final victory over Chelsea, Liverpool are back in action as their quest for the quadruple continues.

With Norwich City the visitors to Anfield in the FA Cup fifth round, changes are a must after Sunday’s gruelling 120 minutes against Thomas Tuchel’s side.

All the players who missed out on the matchday squad at Wembley, or were left as unused substitutes have to come in to start as Jurgen Klopp rotates his squad and manages both tired legs and demoralised minds.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino both start in a front three, either side of Divock Origi, while Curtis Jones is recalled in midfield, with Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones getting the nod either side of him.

Meanwhile, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas start in defence, with Ibrahima Konate partnering the England international, as Conor Bradley comes in at right-back after being left out of Liverpool Under-19s' squad for their UEFA Youth League clash with Genk.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas; Elliott, Milner, Jones; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Origi, Minamino.

Richard Garnett - Mohamed Salah starts

Liverpool's dramatic Carabao Cup victory keeps the improbable quadruple chase on course, but that was an energy-sapping afternoon in the capital, so I'm ringing the changes for this FA Cup tie against a Norwich side who will be missing as many as six first team players.

The back four is getting an overhaul with Joe Gomez in at right back and Ibrahima Konate getting the nod at centre back alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Andy Robertson is afforded a rest with able deputy Kostas Tsimikas returning to cup duty.

With Liverpool's midfield having to put in quite a shift on Sunday, it's time to recall James Milner to the heart of midfield. Joining him in the engine room is Curtis Jones, who will quickly want to put the disappointment of missing out at Wembley behind him and Naby Keita.

As tempting as it may be to tinker with Liverpool's attacking trio I think that Jurgen Klopp will resist a complete overhaul.

Mo Salah and Sadio Mane will man the flanks but Divock Origi gets the nod down the middle with Luis Diaz kept in reserve if things aren't going well and Diogo Jota rested for the weekend.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Milner, Jones, Keita; Salah, Origi, Mane.

Hannah Pinnock - Conor Bradley involved

Tonight's line-up will likely look completely different to the team that faced Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

But, Norwich are still Premier League opposition and they caused a brief scare when they went a goal up last time they came to Anfield.

Alisson will likely return in goal and I expect an entirely different back four. Conor Bradley could come in, which means Joe Gomez could return in his favoured position in central defence alongside Ibrahima Konate.

Kostas Tsimikas is also in need of game time so I anticipate he'll come in for Andy Robertson.

James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may come in and, given Curtis Jones was left out of the cup final squad, I expect he'll start tonight.

It's probably time for Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah to be awarded a rest, but Sadio Mane could be given the nod after he was substituted against Chelsea.

Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino could also be handed some much needed minutes.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Konate, Tsimikas; Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones; Minamino, Origi, Mane.

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