Liverpool are currently scheduled to return to Premier League action on Sunday when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds come into the game on the back of an eight-game winning run since the November international, with not even the enforced absences of Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones after testing positive for coronavirus stopping them against Newcastle United on Thursday night.
Jurgen Klopp has warned that he expects more members of his squad to test positive despite Liverpool feeling confident they have the situation contained, while half of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures have already been called off due to COVID-19 outbreaks around the English top-flight.
However, the Reds’ trip to Tottenham is currently scheduled to go ahead as planned as Antonio Conte’s side look to return to action after seeing their last three games called off following their own outbreak.
Klopp confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Friday that he isn't expecting Van Dijk, Fabinho or Jones to be available as the club wait for their latest test results, so, with that in mind, we take a look at the changes the German could make for Sunday’s visit to North London.
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Go, Go, Gomez?
Back from injury, could Joe Gomez be handed his first Premier League start of the season? While Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip have flourished following their own returns from long-term injury in the summer, the England international’s campaign is yet to really get going.
Ibrahima Konate has been the main competition for the starting duo this season, and has impressed in his last two outings against AC Milan and Newcastle, raising the possibility he could keep his place against Tottenham.
However, with the Dutchman suffering with COVID-19 and Jurgen Klopp continuing to manage Matip’s minutes carefully considering his injury record, ensuring he avoids back-to-back quick turnarounds where possible, the replacement plan could be to turn to Gomez this time.
Feliz Naby Lad
Naby Keita was in fine form for Liverpool before being struck down by injury back in October.
Now available again, making his Premier League return as a substitute against Newcastle, he’ll be looking to make an impact over the festive period before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
With Fabinho sidelined with COVID-19, along with Jones, Jordan Henderson will continue as the number six all being well, leaving it as four into two for the final midfield berths.
Thiago Alcantara and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were the men in possession against the Magpies, with the Spaniard not having his best game after an extended run in the starting XI.
With James Milner also waiting in reserve, it would not be a surprise to see Klopp vary up the trio.
*Pick your team for Sunday:
Si Senor
Roberto Firmino made his comeback from injury as a substitute against Newcastle on Thursday, having been out since the start of November with a hamstring injury.
With that setback being his second of the season already, and the Brazilian set to be more vital than ever when Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, you can imagine that Liverpool will want to manage his return carefully.
However, he has been the scourge of Spurs in recent years, scoring in five of the last six Premier League meetings with Tottenham including three winners and on both of the Reds’ previous two visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Salah was withdrawn early against Newcastle, presumably to protect his legs heading into the festive period, meaning Mane, without a goal in his last seven, and Diogo Jota could be fighting it out for that final spot in the front three.
Possible Liverpool line-up (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Konate, Robertson; Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Jota.
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