Starting XI Prediction: Key Stars Return as Liverpool Face Tottenham Hotspur | OneFootball

Starting XI Prediction: Liverpool Face Crucial Clash with Tottenham Hotspur

Following Liverpool’s commendable 2-2 draw against Fulham last week with just 10-men, Arne Slot’s side will be looking to go one step further and clinch all three points against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

A victory for the Reds would see them move 12 points clear of the current Premier League champions, Manchester City, with one game in hand. There’s no understating how crucial this game is for Liverpool’s pursuit of the Premier League title.

With that being said, let’s take a look at our predicted lineup for the massive clash on Sunday…

Robbo’s Return

After missing the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton through suspension, Andy Robertson will return to the starting lineup and partner Trent Alexander-Arnold at full-back. Virgil Van Dijk will captain the side and will be joined by Joe Gomez at the heart of the defence.

Photo: IMAGO

Behind them, Alisson Becker will also return to the side in place of Caoimhin Kelleher, who will drop to the bench. Kostas Tsimikas and Jarell Quansah will provide some crucial depth from the sideline.

Verdict: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk (C), Robertson

Full-Strength in Midfield

Alexis Mac Allister will also return to Arne Slot’s Premier League starting eleven, after missing the 2-2 draw with Fulham last weekend. He will be joined by Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield after being handed a well-earned rest against Southampton.

Photo: IMAGO

Dominik Szoboszlai will start as the most advanced midfielder and will look to press heavily onto a Tottenham Hotspur defence that is expected to be reasonably weak and has looked incredibly weak over recent weeks. The likes of Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will line up on the bench to add some impressive depth.

Verdict: Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai

Jota the Slotter?

Slot faces a couple of huge decisions when selecting his front three ahead of the game. First of all, I expect Luis Diaz to beat Cody Gakpo to that spot on the left-wing as the Dutchman featured during the week.

Another decision for the Dutchman is who will lead the line down the middle, but again with Darwin Nunez playing the full 90 minutes against Southampton, Diogo Jota will take that starting role for the first time in over two months.

Photo: IMAGO

Mohamed Salah will of course start on the right-wing and will look to continue his world-class run of form so far this season. Gakpo, Nunez and Federico Chiesa will all lineup on the bench to boast some incredible attacking depth for Liverpool.

Verdict: Salah, Jota, Diaz

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Salah, Jota, Diaz

Bench: Kelleher, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Jones, Elliott, Chiesa, Gakpo, Nunez