Starting XI Prediction: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: Who Makes Jurgen Klopp’s Starting Eleven?

In what was supposed to be one of the most anticipated games of the season, Liverpool now welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield in a pretty dead-rubber game. With the Reds sitting fairly comfortable in fifth, whilst Spurs the same down in fifth, both sides are out of the race for their planned goals from a few weeks ago.

Jurgen Klopp’s men had their eyes on the Premier League title until a woeful few weeks with defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton, whilst Spurs have suffered defeats to Newcastle United, Arsenal and Chelsea to leave their Champions League hopes in tatters.

With that being said, let’s have a look at who we think will make Jurgen Klopp’s starting eleven on Sunday.

No Virgil Van Dijk?

Starting with the defence, Alisson Becker will start in goal – despite a few slight murmurs of discontent over recent days. Ahead of him is where the real issues may start for Jurgen Klopp.

Photo: IMAGO

The German revealed that Virgil Van Dijk was absent from training on Thursday and is therefore a doubt for Sunday. Consequently, Jarrell Quansah will partner Ibou Konate at the heart of the defence.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will partner each other in the full-back positions. The returning Conor Bradley will make the bench, alongside Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas.

Verdict: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Quansah, Robertson

Opportunities in Midfield

There could be a few changes in the midfield as we head into the final games of the season. Wataru Endo will surely start in this game to compete with the physicality of Spurs’ midfield, with Klopp hopefully learning the lesson from the defeat to Everton. Ahead of him, Alexis Mac Allister will take one of the eight spots as he looks to end his impressive debut season in style.

That leaves the final spot between Dominik Szoboszlai, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch. I think it’ll actually be between Elliott and Jones, but I suspect it will be the latter to start in this one as Jones eyes vengeance from the return game on October.

Verdict: Endo, Mac Allister, Jones

Salah’s Return?

Mohamed Salah will likely return to the front three for this one, despite his touchline spat with Jurgen Klopp at West Ham last week. Luis Diaz will also make the starting lineup due to his impressive form and work rate of late.

Photo: IMAGO

That leaves the final attacking spot between Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. Based on form, I think Klopp will give Gakpo the nod for this one. The Dutchman also has the intelligence and physicality to drop in and combat the likes of Hojberg and Bissouma, if needed.

Verdict: Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Quansah, Robertson, Endo, Mac Allister, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Bench: Kelleher, Gomez, Bradley, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Nunez