Liverpool have potentially their biggest game of the season on Sunday.
Old rivals Manchester United visit Anfield in what promises to be an intriguing top-of-the-table clash on Merseyside.
The Premier League champions are three points behind Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side at the summit and it’s been quite a while since this fixture held so much significance in relation to the title.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, they’re missing some huge players.
Jurgen Klopp must decide whether to play Jordan Henderson in central defence alongside Fabinho, given the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
But the German manager hinted in his press conference that the Reds can’t afford to be without their captain in midfield, meaning that Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams will partner the big Brazilian – and Klopp might well choose Phillips for having that bit more experience and height.
Physically, Phillips, who stands at 6’3, is also slightly more imposing than the 19-year-old and he might well get the nod.
In midfield, Thiago Alcantara is fully fit again and will start alongside Henderson and probably Gini Wijnaldum, meaning that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who struggled in the defeat by Southampton in Liverpool’s most recent Premier League game, will more than likelydrop out.
Here’s how Klopp could line up against the Red Devils:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Mane, Salah, Firmino
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
