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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst & Theo Squires

Liverpool line-ups for Southampton as James Milner and Darwin Nunez decisions made

Paul Gorst - Salah stays in, changes elsewhere

Jurgen Klopp hinted that there would be changes afoot this weekend, without going as far as saying players will be selected on sentiment alone.

I expect Alisson Becker to start but with Ibrahima Konate struggling with illness and Andy Robertson a doubt with a groin issue, both can rest up. Kostas Tsimikas starts at left-back and Joel Matip comes in for the France international at centre-half.

In midfield, it might be harsh to leave out Arthur Melo but Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones get the nod from me alongside James Milner who signs off having won the lot at Anfield over the last eight years. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson can rest up.

Up top, Mohamed Salah will want his 20th Premier League goal, you suspect, so he starts on the right of the front three, which is led by Darwin Nunez. Luis Diaz completes the attack. Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota can come on if they are needed.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Milner, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

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Ian Doyle - Milner gets farewell start

So, finally we make it all the way down the yellow brick road to the very end of the Premier League season.

It has been a long time since we had a normal one, and this one has seemingly gone on forever,

There's absolutely nothing riding on Liverpool's visit to Southampton in terms of the result. Time for some changes, then.

Caoimhin Kelleher can go in goal for his first league outing of the campaign. Trent Alexander-Arnold can stay at right-back, but why not give Joel Matip and Joe Gomez a go at centre-back and have Kostas Tsimikas on the left of the defence.

In midfield, James Milner can start his last-ever game for the club, with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott providing young legs either side of him.

Up front, Mohamed Salah is aiming for a 20th league goal of the season so can remain on the right, with Darwin Nunez down the middle and Diogo Jota on the left. Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur Melo can all come on as substitutes for their final appearances.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Matip, Tsimikas; Milner, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Jota

Theo Squires - Klopp should make major changes

The Champions League dream is over and fifth is in the bag. Sod it, shorts and sunglasses on, let’s hit the beach.

With absolutely nothing riding on this dead-rubber, I want to see the maddest of starting XIs from Jurgen Klopp at Southampton.

Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal, while Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas come into the defence in place of Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.

Meanwhile, in midfield, James Milner gets to captain the side on his Liverpool farewell. They loaned Arthur Melo for the season, they might as well give him a Premier League debut. Fabio Carvalho can complete the trio because, why the hell not, with Harvey Elliott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in reserve.

Roberto Firmino also gets a farewell start, with Darwin Nunez back from injury and back on the left. Mohamed Salah completes the XI as he goes in search of that landmark 20th Premier League goal of the season.

This side won’t happen in a million years, but who even cares at this point? With this underwhelming season very nearly over, let’s all just sit back and enjoy the bank holiday.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Carvalho, Milner, Arthur; Salah, Firmino, Nunez.

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