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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp faces Gini Wijnaldum decision with Liverpool options limited

Liverpool remain in control of their Champions League qualification destiny after a dramatic win at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Alisson Becker's injury-time header was the first competitive goal ever scored by a Reds goalkeeper and capped a comeback 2-1 victory at The Hawthorns.

The champions now have a quick turnaround as they prepare for the trip to Burnley on Wednesday evening.

And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action.

Defence remains

With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies all sidelined, there is very little scope for change in the Liverpool defence.

Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips, injury permitting, are likely to remain the centre-back pairing for the final two games.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will be the full-backs, with Neco WIlliams and Kostas Tsimikas on standby.

Alisson Becker will continue in goal. Unless, of course, Klopp decides to put him up front after his Hawthorns heroics.

The Wijnaldum question

Midfield is really the only area where Klopp could rotate for the third of four games in 11 days.

James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are expected to be back, with the former the more likely to press for a recall.

Curtis Jones would perhaps be the most likely to give way, with Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara having struck up a good partnership in recent weeks.

However, there is also the option of Gini Wijnaldum, who came off the bench for the closing moments on Sunday and has featured in every Premier League game this season.

A change to a 4-2-3-1 formation could also open the door for Xherdan Shaqiri - another to come on against West Brom - in a wide position.

Same again up top

Diogo Jota's season-ending injury and the fact Divock Origi, while on the bench at the weekend, has only just returned to full training in the last week make Klopp's job pretty easy up front.

Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah are almost certain to continue as the regular triumvirate.

Shaqiri is a potential contender, so too Oxlade-Chamberlain. But starting either would be a big call.

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