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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp faces Sadio Mane decision as Liverpool ponder midfield change

Liverpool extended their unbeaten start to the season with a memorable win at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Mohamed Salah scored twice and Naby Keita once as the Reds secured a dramatic 3-2 Champions League win at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Liverpool now face the third of seven games in 23 days when they make the short journey down the East Lancs Road to face bitter North West rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

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

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk fumes at Luis Suarez as Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah targeted

Time to rotate at the back?

While Caoimhim Kelleher kept a clean sheet at Watford at the weekend, Alisson Becker underlined his position as the number one between the sticks with a man-of-the-match display against Atletico.

But if his starting role at Old Trafford appears nailed on, the same cannot be said of the centre-backs.

Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip have been first-choice this season but appeared a little out of sorts and possibly leg-weary in Spain.

It would, though, be a big call to hand a start to Ibrahima Konate or Joe Gomez, the latter coming on for the final moments on Tuesday.

And while Neco Williams and Kostas Tsimikas have both had run-outs from the bench in the last few days at right-back and left-back respectively, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will be expected to retain their shirts.

Midfield changes

Matters aren't so clear cut in midfield, with Fabinho a likely starter in the defensive midfield role.

Jordan Henderson appeared tired in Spain, while Naby Keita was hooked at half-time and James Milner hasn't started five games in a row for Liverpool in more than three years.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has bolstered his claims with successive impressive cameos from the bench.

And although Curtis Jones, absent for the last two games, is likely to be available, doubts persist over the fitness of Thiago Alcantara.

Jota knocking on door

Klopp stuck with his tried and trusted in Madrid, only the third time in the last 12 Champions League games the regular forward three have started together.

However, Liverpool's win at Old Trafford in May came with Sadio Mane among the substitutes.

Diogo Jota scored the opener that evening and came off the bench for Mane to win the winning penalty against Atletico, and will be pushing for a start.

Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah have scored six goals between them already this week, and are strong favourites to line up.

Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino are the other options but are more likely to feature at Preston North End in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday.

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