Liverpool Predicted XI: Jurgen Klopp’s possible starting line-up for Premier League showdown vs Man City

Liverpool travel to face Man City on Sunday as the Premier League’s top-two from the past couple of seasons go head-to-head.

The Reds, who lifted the top-flight title for the first time in 30 years last term, know they can return to the top of the table if they record their first Premier League victory at the Etihad since 2015.

Since their shock 7-2 defeat at Villa Park last month, Jurgen Klopp’s side have put together a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions, winning their last five.

The most recent of those victories came in the shape of a 5-0 thrashing of Atalanta on Tuesday night.

That impressive Champions League performance will have given Klopp some food for thought ahead of selecting his team to face City.

So which players will the German boss pick to try and secure a massive three points?

Here we predict Klopp’s starting Liverpool XI to take on Man City…

Goalkeeper:

As expected, since returning from injury ahead of schedule Alisson has started every game between the sticks. The Reds have looked steadier at the back since the Brazilian was reintroduced, winning all four games and conceding just twice. Will start this crunch clash once again in what will be his 97th appearance for Liverpool since signing from AS Roma in the summer of 2018.

Defenders:

With injuries striking down Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Joel Matip in recent weeks, Klopp has given opportunities to Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams in the past two matches. Despite the duo performing admirably, the German boss will be delighted to have Matip back for this one, and will put him straight into the starting XI. Joe Gomez will continue at centre-back alongside the 29-year-old former Cameroon international while, at full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will be aiming to cause City all kinds of problems.

Midfielders:

Thiago Alcantara will still be missing for Liverpool having at out the past six matches with an injury picked up in the Merseyside derby. With the previously mentioned Fabinho also absent from the squad, Klopp could opt to go for the experienced and trusted trio of James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and captain Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park. This would leave the likes of Naby Keita and Curtis Jones, who started in midfield against Atalanta, in reserve.

Forwards:

Diogo Jota once again gave Klopp a welcome problem on Tuesday night as he netted an impressive hat-trick in Italy. The Portugal international, who signed from Wolves in September, now has six goals in his last four appearances and is staking a real claim for a starting spot. However, despite being in red-hot form, we feel the Reds will stick with Roberto Firmino, who often delivers on the big occasions, as the central forward between the undroppable duo of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane