Jurgen Klopp has opted to name Emre Can in his Liverpool lineup for New Year’s Eve’s crucial Anfield clash with Manchester City.
The Reds take on Pep Guardiola’s title contenders as they see out a positive 2016 under Klopp, looking to continue their fine form in the Premier League.
Having earned consecutive victories over Middlesbrough, Everton and Stoke City, Liverpool can move further away from third-placed City with another three points.
Given his side’s strong performances against both Everton and Stoke, Klopp has made just one change to his lineup against City.
Simon Mignolet remains in goal, behind a back four of Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and James Milner.
Joel Matip is still recovering from an ankle injury, and as a result Lucas Leiva is on Klopp’s substitutes’ bench as backup centre-back.
In midfield, Jordan Henderson is supported by Can and Georginio Wijnaldum, with Adam Lallana moving into attack.
With Philippe Coutinho also out, Klopp has seemingly pushed Lallana up with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino as his three-man attacking line. The Reds’ boss seemingly looking to press City high in the final third.
Daniel Sturridge came off the bench to score in Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over Stoke, but remains in reserve once again—along with Divock Origi, who drops out for Can.
Origi and Sturridge are joined by Loris Karius, Alberto Moreno, Lucas Leiva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ovie Ejaria as Klopp’s options in the dugout.
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Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Can; Lallana, Mane, Firmino
Substitutes: Karius, Lucas, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Ejaria, Origi, Sturridge
Man City: Bravo; Zabaleta, Stones, Otamendi, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne; Aguero
Substitutes: Caballero, Clichy, Sagna, Fernando, A Garcia, Iheanacho, Navas
Liverpool are 11/8 to beat Man City, with the draw priced at 5/2 and a City victory at 2/1.
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