LFC Lineup vs. Man United: Left-back Dilemma Looms
Liverpool’s clash against Manchester United in the FA Cup is fast approaching, and Jurgen Klopp’s team selection seems rather straightforward. After using a strong side in their recent victory over Sparta Prague, Klopp will hope to see a similar attacking fluency when they face their arch-rivals.
This match is crucial before the international break, as a victory will ensure that Liverpool still have everything to fight for when they return to club football later in the month. However, Klopp is faced with the challenge of being without up to nine senior players for this fixture, which means the starting XI practically picks itself.
Team News: Injury Concerns and Suspensions
Ahead of the match, Klopp provided mixed news on the injury front. There are serious doubts about Ibrahima Konate’s fitness, with Klopp admitting that it’s a “tight race which we will probably lose.” On the other hand, Ryan Gravenberch trained normally and is “ready” to make his return. Bobby Clark is also fine after suffering an ankle knock against Sparta Prague. However, both Elliott and Gravenberch are just one yellow card away from a one-game suspension in the FA Cup.
Liverpool’s Likely XI vs. United: Left-Back Dilemma
With Konate unlikely to win his fitness race and Gravenberch likely to return from the bench, Klopp is faced with a decision regarding his left-back position. It’s between Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez, with Robertson playing the full 90 minutes against Sparta Prague and Gomez only featuring in the first half. This hints at Klopp’s thought process, which seemingly hasn’t changed since the game against Manchester City.
In terms of the rest of the lineup, every other position pretty much picks itself. Quansah is expected to be retained in defense, while Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai will feature in midfield. Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez are likely to be the attacking trio.
Klopp’s instructions for Salah during the previous match were for him “not to run,” so there shouldn’t be any concerns about his fitness for the clash against United. Salah will be eager to add to his goal tally against their rivals.
The likely XI for Liverpool is as follows: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Nunez.
Options and Youngsters
Despite the injury concerns, Klopp still has options at his disposal. Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo, and Andy Robertson are all available for selection. Additionally, young talents like Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns could also be included in the squad. It’s expected that 17-year-old center-back Amara Nallo will be on the bench again in Konate’s absence, along with possibly Trey Nyoni.
Conclusion
Liverpool’s lineup for the FA Cup clash against Manchester United is taking shape, with Klopp facing a dilemma at left-back. However, the rest of the team practically picks itself due to the lack of available senior players. With a strong XI on the pitch, Liverpool will be confident in their ability to secure a place in the FA Cup semi-final. It’s a crucial match before the international break and will set the tone for their return to club football later in the month.