LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, January 5, 2018: Liverpool's new signing Virgil van Dijk, who joined from Southampton for £75m, a world record for a defender, during the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 230th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Van Dijk to return in Klopp’s only change – Predicting Liverpool’s lineup vs. Swansea City

Virgil van Dijk is set for his Premier League debut for Liverpool at Swansea City, where Jurgen Klopp could stick closely to the team that beat Man City.

The Reds produced the result of the season in ending City’s dreams of an unbeaten league campaign—but the real work starts now.

Klopp’s side head to the Liberty Stadium needing to maximise the impact of that statement win and ensure none of the fine work is wasted by backing it up with a vital victory against the Swans.

Klopp will have full trust in his squad to avoid a classic case of after-the-Lord-Mayor’s-show in south Wales, and extend their superb 18-game unbeaten run.

And positively, a very strong group is available after some injury boosts, which gives Klopp a tough selection given the form displayed throughout the squad in recent months.

 

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Liverpool’s XI vs. The Swans

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 26, 2017: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring the third goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A welcome extended break to recharge after that monstrous effort against Pep Guardiola’s side means Liverpool should be able to go with the strongest possible lineup again.

Indeed, Klopp is extremely likely to keep changes to a minimum and the German’s selection seems relatively straightforward.

The excellent form of those in midfield and attack should see both units stay the same, while the solitary defensive switch decides itself after Van Dijk’s return to fitness.

The Dutchman will enter for his Reds league debut alongside Joel Matip, which would complete quite possibly Klopp’s strongest lineup—even taking absentees into consideration.

However, Klopp could make a small number of further changes to utilise the squad, keeping freshness in the team and all players ‘game ready’.

A few Reds would benefit from game time, including Trent Alexander-Arnold who hasn’t started since the New Year’s Day win at Burnley, and he could come in at right-back.

Monday’s clash also presents the ideal game for Adam Lallana to continue building match fitness and finding form, and he could replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain purely for rotational purposes.

The likes of James Milner and Dominic Solanke will hope for a runout too, but Klopp should resist further switches to avoid disrupting the rhythm of his team’s excellent form.

It’s vital the great work produced against City is not undone by a sloppy result against the bottom club, and the Reds must stay focussed to ensure another key three points arrives.

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