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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Ian Doyle

Liverpool lineups as Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita decisions made for Wolves

Ian Doyle - Mohamed Salah starts

And so, we make it all the way down to the end of the yellow brick road for the final game of the Premier League season.

What a season it has been for Liverpool, even if they end up falling short against Manchester City and, well, whatever Manchester City have.

The Reds need to do their bit against Wolves today, though. So what's Jurgen Klopp to do?

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I'd be making plenty of changes and ensuring things get off on the right foot at Anfield.

Alisson Becker is in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson return at full-back, and I'd want to see Virgil van Dijk come in at centre-back. He can be joined by Joel Matip.

In midfield, no Fabinho for now. That means Jordan Henderson back in the defensive role, with Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita also returning.

Up top, Mohamed Salah steps in on the right, with Sadio Mane down the middle and Luis Diaz on the left.

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

Paul Gorst - Virgil van Dijk rested

The big questions for Jurgen Klopp today revolve around Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

Having both sat out Tuesday's win at Southampton, the pair were back in training this week ahead of the final game of the campaign, one that still has so much meaning to it.

But, with that Champions League final in Paris now firmly in sight, will Klopp risk two of his biggest stars at home to Wolves? Or will he feel he has enough without Van Dijk and Salah to get the job done against Bruno Lage's side?

It's a difficult balancing act, but in terms of centre-backs, Liverpool now have quality in abundance so I expect Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip to start as Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold return to the fold too.

In midfield, Jordan Henderson starts alongside Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita as James Milner, Harvey Elliott and Curts Jones drop out.

Salah will be desperate to start to finish the campaign as the Golden Boot winner and Liverpool's strength in reserve on the right side of their attack is not as powerful as the left side, so he starts alongside Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Henderson, Keita, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Sean Bradbury - Harvey Elliott plays

It goes without saying this is a must-win game, just in case Steven Gerrard and his side can avoid defeat at the Etihad and help Liverpool land a 20th title.

With that in mind - plus the need for rhythm ahead of the Champions League final - a strong selection feels likely.

Alisson is in goal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson returning at full-back. I'd go for Ibrahima Konate in the middle along with Virgil van Dijk, who is hopefully able to return after being spotted in the latest training pictures.

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Midfield is trickier but this will be too soon for Fabinho. Jordan Henderson sits deep with Thiago and Harvey Elliott ahead of him.

In attack, Mohamed Salah gets the nod as long as he is ready to go.

Sadio Mane starts centrally with Luis Diaz out on the left.

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

Will Pickworth - Luis Diaz selected

It was a big boost for Jurgen Klopp’s side with news that both Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk returned to training ahead of today’s game against Wolves.

However, I would still take precautions with Salah with Liverpool’s backup front-line having excelled at Southampton. Against a Wolves defence that has been leaky in recent weeks, along with Roberto Firmino’s Man of the Match performance and the importance of Salah for next week’s Champions League final, I’d start Firmino today.

Joining him in attack would be Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.In midfield, the well rested trio of Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita start, with Henderson the deeper of the three. Despite the fact Liverpool's skipper did play 45 minutes on Tuesday due to Joe Gomez’s first half injury, he led by example and helped to secure a comfortable victory.

In defence, I would revert to the most-used Premier League back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

This is slightly harsh on both Kostas Tsimikas and Ibrahima Konate, who have been superb in recent weeks. However, despite fitness concerns, Van Dijk’s experience and class will be key in such a big game and in dealing with a dangerous Wolves front line that includes Pedro Neto and Raul Jimenez.

Matip has been brilliant throughout the season in the league, appearing in 30 of the 37 games, while he is in an unexpected rich vein of goalscoring form with two in two. Alisson completes my XI.

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

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