Liverpool vs Man City: Should Fabinho, Jordan Henderson or Naby Keita start on Sunday?

Liverpool take on Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League, but should Fabinho, Jordan Henderson or Naby Keita start the game?

Keita was forced off the field after 19 minutes against Napoli in the Champions League, but the BBC has reported that his back issue isn’t serious and that the midfielder could play a part on Sunday.

Fabinho was handed his full debut as Liverpool crashed out the Carabao Cup to Chelsea, while Henderson has struggled for form following his excellent World Cup with England.

Keita was preferred against the Italians, and the team definitely looked worse off without him as Henderson just can’t match the dynamism of the Guinea international.

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A midfield trio of Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner and the former Sunderland man has the danger of looking too pedestrian. It’s almost a half-way house and doesn’t offer the protection to allow Wijnaldum a freer role, but includes two players who typically slow the game down a little.

If Fabinho was picked he’d allow the other two mids more freedom to join and launch attacks by driving at the City players. The Brazilian is a true defensive midfielder, but it may still be a touch early to throw the former AS Monaco lad into a monster game.

Despite a decent game against Chelsea, the Citizens will be a different beast entirely. The added protection against wizards like Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva should be tempting to Jurgen Klopp, but you’d assume that Fabinho won’t be involved.

And that leaves a battle between Henderson and Keita. If the latter is fit he has to be picked. The added energy and dynamic running is purpose built to the manager’s system, while Keita also brings an impressive physical presence to the middle of the park.

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Hendo has come off the back of an impressive summer but his form has dipped. It’ll be a big call to leave the England international out of the side, but on balance it’s probably the right one.