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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Rimmer

Jurgen Klopp's shock Burnley team selection and why Liverpool could look a lot different this time

Jurgen Klopp's team selection for Liverpool's last trip to Burnley raised an eyebrow or two.

It was back in December of last year when the Reds made the trip to Turf Moor and Klopp started the match without Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane for the first time since May 2017.

Liverpool were in the midst of a run of three games in just nine days and Klopp's brave changes did the trick, delivering a 3-1 victory - albeit one that came late in the day after Burnley took the lead.

Klopp is unlikely to make such changes this time around, with Liverpool having a week between the win over Arsenal and the trip over to Lancashire.

Certain starters

Roberto Firmino celebrates with Virgil van Dijk after scoring during the match between Burnley and Liverpool (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

It's almost a given that Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will start this time around. Barring injury, there's no reason the trio will need a rest with the international break to come immediately following this weekend's fixtures.

In defence, it appears as though Jurgen Klopp has decided on Joel Matip as his first choice centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, and of course Adrian will be between the sticks.

Fabinho also seems a certain starter, but the rest of the midfield could be open to change.

Potential changes

Trent Alexander-Arnold played well against Arsenal and is likely to start at Turf Moor, but if Klopp decides to go with a more defensive option, he could bring in Joe Gomez.

Gomez broke his leg at Turf Moor last season and it would represent a big chance for him to reestablish himself as a first choice.

Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum both played well against Arsenal, but should Klopp plump for a more attacking midfield, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or James Milner, who score the equaliser a year ago, could come in.

One man who will be frustrated to miss out is Naby Keita, who put in one of his most impressive performances of the season in the same match last term.

From the bench

Xherdan Shaqiri had a huge impact from the bench last season, scoring a great goal on the break to wrap up the points.

Divock Origi started at Turf Moor and will hope to get on the pitch again, and the likes of Adam Lallana and James Milner will hope to get on the pitch to influence the game at some point.

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