Here’s our Liverpool lineup for the West Brom clash.
Santa has brought Jurgen Klopp some good news over the past few days as Thiago, James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri were pictured back in full training.
Given the extent of their fitness troubles, it may be too optimistic to expect the trio to take part in the Baggies game, but 2021 will look a whole lot better if we can get them fit and firing once more.
This match is going to be interesting because new manager Sam Allardyce will have had his first real week to get his methods and ideas into West Brom.
Allardyce hasn’t taken charge of an outfit since he left Everton, but the Baggies have called him in to do some firefighting and that’s what he’s good at.
Big Sam likes to keep things tight at the back and will be concentrating his efforts on how to avoid being mauled by Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah – all of whom have hit fine form as we prepared to exit the hellscape that is 2020.
West Brom may stand more of a chance of pulling victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to their new gaffer, but recent form suggests otherwise. The Black Country side has won just once this season, have only scored 10 goals in 14 games, and have conceded 29.
Here is the Liverpool lineup we think will take on Big Sam and win all three points.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Callum Robinson and Conor Gallagher are West Brom’s top goalscorers with two each, so it’s safe to say that the Baggies haven’t provided much threat moving forward.
Alisson is back after his second injury of the season and will start this game, and will need to be sharp to keep Karlan Grant and Grady Diangana from having an impact.