Liverpool have a favourable fixture against bottom-placed team West Bromwich Albion this weekend and the Reds will have the chance to rotate their squad as well as provide a few minutes to those who are expected to start against AS Roma next weekend.
Liverpool eased past Bournemouth last weekend and but West Brom showed against Manchester United that their defence won’t be the easiest to breach even though they are in the relegation zone. Jurgen Klopp would have liked to have a fitter squad as quite a few first team stars are out injured.
The Reds have quite a few midfielders missing due to injury. Adam Lallana and Emre Can won’t be available while Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Here’s how the Reds could line up against West Brom…
Defence
The defence has improved a lot in the last couple of months and the presence of club record signing Virgil van Dijk has had a big say. The Dutchman is expected to partner Ragnar Klavan at the back, though, as Lovren has a groin injury and is unlikely to be risked. Alexander-Arnold and Alberto Moreno are expected to start as the two fullbacks. If there’s one area where the team don’t have a deficiency, then it’s the full-back areas.
Loris Karius has done well in goal after being named as the number one. The German’s consistency is exactly what the Liverpool fans wanted and after replacing Simon Mignolet, he has barely put a foot wrong.
Midfield
Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum will compete for a place in the starting XI. It’s unlikely both will start, though. Wijnaldum did well in that role against Man City last midweek and could be given the nod once again.
James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could play alongside the Dutchman. Milner’s work rate will be key while Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ability to run at the defence will give the Baggies a few problems.
Attack
Mohamed Salah was the only Liverpool player to be named in the PFA team of the season and he is expected to start on the right once again. West Brom don’t really have the pace at the back but will defence pretty deep. Salah managed to score against them in the FA Cup defeat and will hope he can once again score and unlike last time, his side can beat the bottom-placed side.
Sadio Mane will start on the left and we could see Danny Ings starting up top.
