Liverpool have a season defining Champions League game next week and a host of injuries so who will Jurgen Klopp turn to for derby at Everton.
Quickly after the euphoria of another magnificent European night at Anfield comes another match and another set of critical decisions for manager Jurgen Klopp. The German boss has rotated his squad heavily all season and now faces tough choices ahead of Liverpool’s visit across Stanley Park to Everton.
On the face of things Liverpool could field a reserve team against Everton. They are 10 points ahead of Chelsea in fifth and the City game is by far the most important.
But if Liverpool lose to Everton that gap could be four points before the Reds play another Premier League fixture. And we still have to go to Stamford Bridge in May. My heart does not need that game to decide whether or not we qualify for the Champions League. The Reds have to field a decent eleven this Saturady.
In two weeks Liverpool have gone from injury free to injury riddled. The list of absentees now reads: Emre Can (out for the season); Adam Lallana (out for the season); Joel Matip (out for the season) Joe Gomez; Mohamed Salah; Ragnar Klavan; Ben Woodburn.
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The good news from Klopp’s press conference today is that Mo Salah’s groin strain is not serious and he will feature against Man City next week. He could be available tomorrow but Klopp stressed that if there is any concern he will be left out.
The manager also talked up Danny Ings making it very likely that the former Burnley man will make his first Premier League start since Brendan Rodgers’ last game in charge in October 2015. He scored that day. Against Everton. Do it again Danny!
You can write in Jordan Henderson in pen on the derby team sheet. He is suspended for the second leg of the Champions League fixture. The question is who to play next to him? Gini Wijnaldum will likely start as he was only a substitute in midweek. Then it is either James Milner or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?
I am sure Klopp would have liked to have played one of the young midfield prospects but Ovie Ejaria and Marko Grujic are out on loan and Ben Woodburn is injured. My guess is that Oxlade-Chamberlain as he came off late against City. With Henderson and Can missing for the second leg Milner will be key to getting the result we need.
There are no options other than Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren at center back who have even a minute of first team experience. It seems very likely that Alberto Moreno will start as a first team level player (kinda) who has not seen many minutes recently. I would also take the risk on Nathaniel Clyne who has not featured for the first team but should be ready for this game.
The final decision will be who to start up front. The manager will probably start both Sadio Mane and Roberto as they are crucial to how Liverpool attack. However I am hoping he starts Dominic Solanke instead.
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I don’t know how Liverpool have the ability to make you sweat with a 10 point gap to fifth, a 3-0 Champions League first leg advantage and playing a shite Everton side… but they do.