Liverpool will go trophyless this season and now, their one and only focus will be to grab a Champions League position for the next season.
The Reds still have a fairly good chance to make it into the top four of the Premier League because they are just seven points behind fourth-placed Spurs and they have two games in hand. However, it won’t be easy sailing for them because next up, they’re going to face Manchester City.
Man City are chasing down league leaders Arsenal so Jurgen Klopp’s side can spoil the party by beating them on Saturday. Given their form this season, this will not be an easy task but they have the firepower to puncture Man City’s title push.
Liverpool scored seven goals against Manchester United just a few weeks ago but in their previous five matches, the Anfield outfit have picked up only two wins, plus they have been knocked out of the Champions League. A win at the Etihad will be a big confidence booster for the Reds but anything other than that could be curtains for their top-four hopes.
Liverpool’s injuries and team news:
The injury list is still a large one for Liverpool with players like Calvin Ramsey and Bajcetic ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Thiago is close to making a comeback but there are not very high hopes with respect to this weekend’s match. The midfielder should be fully fit within the next week but Jurgen Klopp will have to make do without him on Saturday.
Luis Diaz has been out for months but as per the latest reports, he will be part of the matchday squad this weekend. It remains to be seen if the winger will get any game time or not.
Darwin Nunez missed international duty due to a cut on his ankle but the forward will be available for selection against Manchester City.
Nunez is slowly adapting to life in the Premier League and if he is 100% fit then Jurgen Klopp will select him ahead of Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota.
Cody Gakpo played in midfield and Jota was the main centre-forward in the 1-0 loss to Real Madrid but that experiment clearly did not work so Jota is going to move back to the bench. Bajcetic and Thiago’s absence means the Liverpool boss will have to put his faith in either Oxlade-Chamberlain or Naby Keita as his third midfielder.
Liverpool predicted line up vs Manchester City:
Predicted Starting XI(4-3-3): Alisson; Van Dijk, Konate; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain/Keita; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.
