MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 21, 2015: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates the Manchester City own goal scored by Mangala during the Premier League match against Liverpool at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Predicting the Liverpool XI vs Swansea

Liverpool lock horns with Swansea City on Sunday afternoon as the Reds return to Premier League duties, and we take a look at how Jurgen Klopp could line his side up for the Anfield clash.

European Football - UEFA Europa League - Group Stage Group B - Liverpool FC v FC Girondins de Bordeaux

Klopp’s in-form Liverpool go in search of their third consecutive victory against Garry Monk’s side at Anfield, where the Reds look to claim a second successive home win.

The Reds boss is set to make changes to the team that sealed Europa League qualification on Thursday night, with the need to keep personnel and performances fresh to allow for positive momentum to be built up in a crucial period.

 

Team News

  • Sturridge likely to miss out with foot injury
  • Lucas suspended
  • Henderson closing on return and could return to match-day involvement
  • Coutinho in line to feature after missing out Bordeaux match
  • Skrtel set to come back in after illness
  • Joe Allen to face former club in place of Lucas
  • Emre Can in line to return to starting XI after dropping to bench on Thursday night
  • Klopp could reunite front trio of Lallana, Firmino and Coutinho

 

Liverpool’s XI

Klopp is set to make changes to his side for the first of a number of important league clashes over the coming weeks.

Skrtel’s availability should see the Slovakian resume at centre back in place of deputy, Kolo Toure, while in midfield, Can will come back in to join James Milner and Joe Allen, with Lucas suspended.

The big decision yet again for Klopp comes over the look of his attack, where the German has expressed reservations over Benteke’s ability to play twice in four days.

That could see the Belgian drop to the bench and held in reserve, allowing Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino to reconvene as a free-roaming, destructive front three to form the Reds attack.

Those changes to Thursday’s side would see the Reds line up like this at Anfield:

Swansea false 9 XI

Keeping the same back four and midfield selection, Klopp could opt for a slightly different attacking line up.

With Coutinho having missed Thursday night’s victory altogether, the 48-year-old could decide a return to the bench is a safer move to manage his return from a hamstring issue.

Therefore, Lallana could come back into the starting team after playing a cameo role in midweek, to join Firmino in support of Benteke, who Klopp could stick with after his match-winning performance against Bordeaux.

Those changes would see Liverpool’s XI look like this come 4pm kick-off time Sunday afternoon:

Swansea XI 2

Despite the Swans struggles, a tough game faces Klopp’s men who must build on their positive form with a third straight win to build that all-important momentum.