Liverpool will not be able to call upon Cody Gakpo against Leicester on Friday, with Jurgen Klopp set to decide between his left-sided options.
The Reds are due for their 60th and final game of 2022 this week, as they face Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester at Anfield.
A comprehensive victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day was their third in a row in the Premier League – bookending the World Cup break – and Klopp will be eager to make it four.
His attacking options remain limited, however, despite the £37 million signing of Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven earlier this week.
With Gakpo currently ineligible to feature, a big call is required on the left.
Team news
Here is what we know about the Liverpool squad for Friday, including from Klopp’s press conference:
- Cody Gakpo is unavailable and cannot be registered until January 1
- Roberto Firmino has “already healed” but targeting Brentford return
- Ibrahima Konate is back available – and no new injuries post-Villa
- Curtis Jones likely still out along with Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Arthur
Liverpool’s XI vs. Leicester
With no immediate new concerns emerging following the 3-1 win at Villa, and four days between games, there is a strong chance the same side is retained.
If that is the case, there may be another opportunity for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the unfamiliar role of left winger:
- Alisson behind unchanged back four including Joel Matip
- Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago in midfield
- Oxlade-Chamberlain retained alongside Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez
That would see this Liverpool lineup at Anfield:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nunez
However, there is still scope for change, particularly with a tough trip to Brentford – who held Tottenham to a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day – to come just three days later.
That is unlikely to include Konate as a starter, but there are further options to rotate in midfield and attack:
- Changes to defensive line doubtful, with Matip to keep place
- Harvey Elliott an option to replace Henderson in midfield
- Fabio Carvalho able to step in if Oxlade-Chamberlain drops out
With those two alterations, Liverpool could shape up like this:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Carvalho, Nunez
Though there are signs of improvement following the break and time spent training in Dubai, this Liverpool side remains a work in progress when it comes to rewriting their form.
But on a promising run, there is a convincing case to argue that Klopp should keep his faith in an unchanged lineup – particularly in the absence of key forwards.
It should be noted, too, that after Leicester and Brentford comes an FA Cup third-round clash with Wolves at Anfield, at which point more rotation can be employed.
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