Jurgen Klopp has named Lucas Leiva in his starting lineup, replacing Adam Lallana for Liverpool’s Merseyside derby clash with Everton.
The Reds take on their city rivals in a Saturday lunchtime kickoff, as they aim to push further away from the likes of Man United and Arsenal in their campaign for Champions League football.
With Lallana picking up a thigh injury while on duty with England last month, however, Klopp was left to navigate the absence of not only one, but two key midfielders.
Jordan Henderson was also ruled out for the derby, while Daniel Sturridge remains on the sidelines with a hip problem.
Simon Mignolet keeps his place in goal, behind a back four of Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip Dejan Lovren and James Milner.
Lovren returns to the starting lineup for the first time since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on January 31, after struggling with a knee injury.
In midfield, with both Lallana and Henderson out, Lucas joins Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum, with the regular duo looking to keep up their excellent run of form.
Despite only returning to training on Thursday, having spent the international break in South America, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino both start, joining Sadio Mane in attack.
Without Lallana, Henderson and Sturridge, Klopp has turned to youth to flesh out his substitutes’ bench once again, but he will be hoping his starting lineup will do the job.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Lucas, Can, Wijnaldum; Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
Substitutes: Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Grujic, Woodburn, Origi
Everton: Robles; Holgate, Pennington, Jagielka, Williams, Baines; Gana, Davies, Barkley; Lukaku, Calvert-Lewin
Substitutes: Stekelenburg, Kenny, Barry, Lookman, Mirallas, Valencia, Kone
UK viewers
Liverpool vs. Everton is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 in the UK, which is available to live stream with a NOW TV day pass (10% off).
US viewers
Liverpool vs. Everton is being shown live on NBC SN in the US, which is available to live stream with FuboTV.
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