Liverpool vs Man Utd: Jurgen Klopp faces selection headache

Liverpool head to Old Trafford on Sunday to face bitter rival Manchester United while manager Jurgen Klopp faces a big selection headache.

In recent weeks the Klopp has seen the injuries and illnesses start to pile up. It’s got so bad that he told media during the pre-match press conference that now is about the time he is expecting a call to find out who is sick this week.

However, things are changing. Liverpool are looking a lot healthier now and are edging closer to a fully fit squad.

Joe Gomez is still sidelined following surgery but isn’t a mile away, while Dejan Lovren still won’t be available this weekend but is potentially in line for a return midweek against Watford.

More from Rush The Kop

• Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
• Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
• Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
• Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
• Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the only other real first team player unavailable right now. Thankfully, he is almost back to full training as well, keeping fans hopes alive that he could still feature this season.

This return to almost a full bill of health presents Klopp with a whole new dilemma. One or two weeks ago it was how to patch a team together with so few fit players, now the question is who to leave out.

It is undoubtedly a good problem to have, and one that most Premier League managers would envy. Nevertheless, it is a crucial one for the Reds boss to solve ahead of a crunch fixture this weekend.

Win or draw at Old Trafford and Liverpool are top of the league with only 10 games to go. Their destiny remains in their own hands.

Sure, they will likely need to win all 10 should the result at Old Trafford be a draw; however, this weeks game is arguably their hardest remaining fixture.

Although Klopp will have some decisions to make at the back, namely which one of Joel Matip or Fabinho will make way for Virgil van Dijk, it should be relatively straightforward.

Dropping a center-back after a good performance in favor of keeping a midfielder in the position is the type of decision that can end a players time at the club. Klopp is a manager that rewards performance, so expect Matip to start.

The real dilemma is how to fit four into three in midfield. Each of Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, and Fabinho have a rock solid case to expect to start.

Henderson was dropped for this fixture last year and that was likely a mistake Klopp would admit to. Coming off a man of the match performance against Bayern Munich, it’s impossible not to see him start.

This leaves three players to fill two remaining spots. One thing that may sway Klopp’s decision is determining who would be best off the bench.

Picking a starting 11 is really only selecting those that you want to get 60-70 minutes out of. Premier League games, especially those against Man Utd, are very rarely won in this time frame.

The strength of bench and ability to bring on game changers could ultimately be what decides a close game late on.

Evaluating the starting 11 based on who would you want to bring on to make something happen against a tired defense, probably suggests it is Keita that will make way. He could be a victim of his own strengths.

Whoever Klopp picks, it’s set to be a tense one. A Liverpool win could really provide the final kick on they need to get over the line.