The mood around Anfield isn’t what it was around a month ago when Liverpool were sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table.
Indifferent results of late have seen the dynamic shift in Manchester City’s favour as the Sky Blues are a point clear at the top of the table.
With nine games to go, however, there’s still plenty to play for and Liverpool need to win every game to put pressure of City.
To do so, Jurgen Klopp will have to put out his best lineup as the players’ form hasn’t been as consistent as it was in the first half of the season.
We take a look at the strongest possible Liverpool lineup for the rest of the season.
Strongest possible Liverpool lineup
Defence
Joe Gomez’s injury was a blow to Liverpool, even though the Reds have managed to do well at the back and still have the best defence in the league.
Joel Matip has stepped up after a shaky few games at first, and the Cameroonian’s ability to maraud forward from the back is an added advantage considering it’s not Dejan Lovren’s strongest suit.
Gomez’s return date isn’t fixed yet, and if he returns, he is expected to take a few games to get back to his fittest and best, so Virgil van Dijk and Matip might just be the best combination for the rest of the season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are probably the best two full-backs in the league, and complete the rest of the defence.
Alisson Becker has made some crucial stops this season already, and unless injury strikes, he should remain in goal.
Midfield
This is where things get interesting, and perhaps a bit heated as well, if you look at social media. While everyone, including me, believes Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum should start, the remaining midfield spot is up for grabs.
Klopp has rotated the trio of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita in the role, and for some reason, despite Keita’s impressive form, the former Leipzig man hasn’t started games of late.
While Henderson offers a bit more protection because of his tenacity, Keita’s presence was needed against Manchester United and Everton as the Reds were looking for the breakthrough and lacked a bit of creativity at times.
Even if Liverpool manage to keep clean sheets, draws aren’t good enough, so Keita should start more often in the remainder of the season.
Attack
Simpler to name the attack as Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah are unstoppable on their day. Of late, though, that hasn’t been the case.
Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi, and Daniel Sturridge will provide the backup.
