Jurgen Klopp has suggested he will name a strong lineup as Liverpool continue their quest for FA Cup success in a fourth-round tie with Wolves.
The Reds attempt to arrest their concerning slump in form against Paul Lambert’s side and keep their campaign alive with a push for FA Cup glory.
After seeing his side’s dreams of Premier League and League Cup triumphs dashed by successive deflating losses, Klopp will be desperate to progress in the famous competition, and his team need an immediate improvement to ensure that happens.
Indeed, Saturday’s game carries extra significance with this Liverpool’s only realistic chance of silverware, and Klopp has confirmed “we will have a very good team” for a vitally important cup tie.
Team News
- Klopp facing tricky selection with Chelsea’s impending Anfield arrival
- But Reds boss says “we won’t make 10 changes” with stronger lineup to feature
- Adam Lallana to miss out after requiring stitches for cut sustained in Southampton loss
- Nathaniel Clyne‘s fitness to be monitored which could see Trent Alexander-Arnold continue at right-back
- Joel Matip could start with Cameroonian needing match sharpness
- Likes of Kevin Stewart, Ovie Ejaria, Sheyi Ojo and Ben Woodburn all hopeful of inclusion
- Loris Karius set to continue in goal
- Squad members Joe Gomez, Lucas Leiva and Alberto Moreno poised for starting berths
- Divock Origi in line to return to starting XI
- Daniel Sturridge hoping to keep place after poor Southampton display
Liverpool’s XI vs. Wolves
Klopp has stated he will field a “very good team” at Anfield, but the big question is how strong that lineup will be.
It’s unlikely to be full strength with Klopp juggling injuries and also sure to have one eye on Chelsea’s impending arrival, but the boss can still name a talented team.
This could include a return for Clyne if he recovers from injury, and a second consecutive start for Matip—who is in need of minutes to rediscover match sharpness—ideally alongside Gomez in what may offer a long-term partnership.
Lucas could move into defensive midfield where he recently featured in the League Cup, and the third-round tie-winner could be joined by compatriot Philippe Coutinho—who’s also rebuilding fitness—and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Meanwhile, Ojo could complete Liverpool’s attack, where Sturridge and Origi could both start with Klopp desperately needing his go-to strikers to find better form.
However, Klopp did also state that “we will have to make a few changes” as a result of some “knocks” picked up from Wednesday’s cup loss, and this along with Chelsea‘s visit could yet play a part in his selection plans.
The German will still believe his side can post a positive league campaign, and could therefore rest likely starters for Tuesday’s game of huge importance.
Klopp could field the same back line utilised against Plymouth ahead of Karius, with central pair Gomez and Lucas being flanked by Alexander-Arnold and Moreno.
Stewart could again operate in his usual deep-lying position, and he could be joined in midfield by Wijnaldum—who will be fresh after only a substitute appearance against the Saints—and the talented Ejaria.
The youthful attack deployed in the first meeting with the Pilgrims could also resume, which would see Ojo and Woodburn provide support to Origi, and the Reds would look like this:
An initially exciting season is in danger of ending before it has begun, and the Reds must fight for a much-needed victory to seal a place in the fifth round and keep their campaign alive.
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