Jurgen Klopp has some big selection decisions to make ahead of Liverpool’s meeting with Everton today as the Reds look to bounce back from their midweek defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
A dour performance in Paris has left Champions League qualification in the balance and Klopp will be hoping for a positive reaction in the Merseyside derby. A change in formation is widely expected for Liverpool, switching from a three-man midfield to a more adventurous 4-2-3-1.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, the German boss said: ”The squad situation, not 100% sure at the moment.
“It was quite an intense game [v PSG] and we had a lot of knocks.
“It’s good that we have this one day more. Wednesday-Sunday will be enough to have a nearly fully fit squad.”
Captain Jordan Henderson is suspended against the Toffees after his red card against Watford while Adam Lallana is is still recovering from a muscle problem.
However, Klopp still has a host of options in the centre of the park with Naby Keita set to come in after a bustling cameo on Wednesday.
Fabinho will compete with Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner for the other holding spot, while Xherdan Shaqiri is the most likely beneficiary of a change in formation.
The Swiss winger is set to start on the right of an attacking trio operating behind a lone frontman in the form of Mohamed Salah.
Roberto Firmino should operate in a ‘false nine’ role while Trent Alexander-Arnold is in line for a recall at right-back with Joe Gomez moving across to partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence.
