Liverpool Predicted XI vs Leicester City: Jurgen Klopp’s possible starting line-up as Henderson and Salah miss out

Liverpool are back in Premier League action after the last international break of 2020 as they take on Leicester City at Anfield. 

Jurgen Klopp saw his side draw 1-1 a Manchester City last time out and will hope to get back to winning ways against a Foxes side which sit one point ahead of them in the table.

The Reds know a victory over former boss Brendan Rodgers will see them move joint top with Tottenham Hotspur as the Merseyside club aim to win back-to-back league titles after 30 years without one.

However, with plenty of vital absentees within his squad, Klopp will know that the task of beating an in-form Leicester side will be far from easy.

So which players will the German pick to try and secure an important three points on Sunday night?

Here we predict the Liverpool’s starting XI to take on Leicester City…

Goalkeeper:

A pretty straightforward call between the sticks as Alisson gets set to make his 98th appearance for Liverpool. Klopp’s side look far more assured when the first-choice Brazilian is in goal. The only surprise is that the super stopper will be aiming to secure what will be only his second Premier League clean sheet of the season against Leicester – the first coming way back in the second match of the campaign at Chelsea.

Defenders:

If injuries to both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk (longer term) were causing Klopp problems prior to the international then the news that Joe Gomez will be sidelined for a period of time after rupturing a tendon in his left knee when training with England will have added to the German’s woes. However, the Reds have been given a boost at the news that Fabinho should return from injury for this one meaning the Brazilian should slot into a centre-back position alongside Joel Matip. At right-back, with Alexander-Arnold not expected to return for a couple more weeks, James Milner could be used in a role he’s played on numerous occasions in the past. Meanwhile, on the left hand side, Andrew Robertson should take his spot despite a slight concern over a calf problem.

Midfielders:

Klopp also has injury worries in the midfield area. Thiago Alcantara is back in training but the German boss has said that he will not take any unnecessary risks with the Spaniard. This means, if he is fit enough to make the squad, then the former Bayern Munich star could just be on the bench. Captain Jordan Henderson will miss this clash after picking up an injury on international duty, meaning Georginio Wijnaldum will be the only regular midfield starter in the XI. Alongside the Dutchman we feel Klopp will give an opportunity to Naby Keita and continue to play Roberto Firmino in a number 10 role.

Forwards:

The big news is that Mohamed Salah will not be available for this match after testing positive for Covid-19 on two occasions over the international break. This could open the door for Xherdan Shaqiri to make just his 14th Premier League start for the Reds on the left hand side. Alongside the Swiss in attack, we expect Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane to continue in their roles.

Predicted Liverpool XI vs Leicester City: Alisson; Milner, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Keita, Wijnaldum, Firmino; Shaqiri, Jota, Mane