Jurgen Klopp has named Roberto Firmino in his starting lineup for Liverpool’s crucial Premier League clash away to Man City on Sunday.
The Reds take to the Etihad Stadium looking to do the double over top-four rivals City and establish themselves as favourites to secure Champions League football next season.
Having already taken three points from Pep Guardiola’s side on New Year’s Eve, the Reds will be confident of sealing another victory away from home.
Klopp has made one change to the side that beat Burnley 2-1 last time out, with the German still restricted by injuries to the likes of Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.
Simon Mignolet continues in goal, behind a back four of Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and James Milner.
Henderson’s absence means Emre Can keeps his place at the base of the midfield, with the German joined by Adam Lallana and the in-form Georginio Wijnaldum.
Klopp had further concerns over the fitness of Firmino and Divock Origi in the buildup, but the former has recovered to start, with the latter on the bench.
The Brazilian is joined by Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho in Klopp’s forward line.
With five goals and an assist in his previous six outings against City, Coutinho will be key to Liverpool’s game plan at the Etihad, as Klopp looks to propel his side up the table.
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Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner; Can, Lallana, Wijnaldum; Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
Substitutes: Karius, Lovren, Lucas, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Woodburn, Origi
Man City: Caballero; Fernandinho, Stones, Otamendi, Clichy; Toure; Sane, De Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Aguero
Substitutes: Bravo, Sagna, Kolarov, Fernando, A. Garcia, Nolito, Iheanacho
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