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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp faces Sadio Mane conundrum as Liverpool consider midfield overhaul

Liverpool continued their return to form with an impressive victory at West Ham United on Sunday.

Two goals from Mohamed Salah and one from Gini Wijnaldum earned the Reds a fine 3-1 triumph in the capital.

The Premier League and world champions now have a quick turnaround before they head to West Ham United on Sunday.

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

Same again at the back?

Klopp finally has some extra options in defence with the signing of centre-back duo Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak.

However, it would be a big call to include either in the starting line-up having had at the most one training session with their new team-mates.

Instead, with Fabinho still out, it seems Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips will continue at centre-back. Rhys Williams is another option.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson impressed at full-back on Sunday, although Neco Williams and Kostas Tsimikas are on standby if required.

The Milner question

James Milner wasn't impressed at being substituted against West Ham, although he was all smiles moments later as his replacement, Curtis Jones, set up the opening goal.

Milner has started three games in eight days and, with worries over his hamstring, he may well be benched in favour of Jones in the starting line-up.

That could depend on whether the Reds revert to a normal 4-3-3 rather than the midfield diamond they employed in the first half on Sunday with Xherdan Shaqiri at the tip.

Thiago Alcantara and Gini Wijnaldum will be hopeful of keeping their place, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who came off the bench in London, is pressing for a recall. Naby Keita seems not ready for a return.

Mane poser

There's no guarantee that Sadio Mane will be available having missed out on Sunday with a minor muscle complaint.

Liverpool started with Divock Origi joining Mohamed Salah as a front two, although that formation was tweaked as the game progressed.

If the Reds revert to a front three it could be that Salah goes back to the right, Roberto Firmino comes back in down the middle and Klopp has options on the left should Mane not make it.

Alternatively, Origi could stay in the starting line-up.

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