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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
James Pearce & Joe Rimmer & Theo Squires

How Liverpool could line up vs Tottenham - Jordan Henderson included in midfield

Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday looking to go back top of the Premier League.

Man City moved back to the summit with a win over Fulham on Saturday afternoon, putting the pressure on Jurgen Klopp's men ahead of the visit of Spurs.

Liverpool's squad is approaching full fitness for the first time this season, meaning that Klopp has some tough decisions to make.

Here's how our writers think it could go:

James Pearce: Dejan Lovren maybe fit but I'd stick with Joel Matip alongside Virgil van Dijk for the visit of Spurs.

The front three pick themselves and the only real dilemma for Jurgen Klopp surrounds the balance of his midfield.

Playing Adam Lallana would be an attacking selection but I think I'd go with a midfield trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum. Lallana would be a decent option off the bench if Liverpool need to chase the game.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

'You need your captain for games like this'

Jurgen Klopp on the fitness of Shaqiri, Alexander-Arnold & Gomez

Theo Squires: The international break is over and Premier League football is back! And with a virtually fully-fit squad available for the first time this season, Jurgen Klopp has plenty to choose from ahead of Sunday’s clash with Tottenham.

However, truth be told he has very difficult decisions to make for what is arguably the toughest remain fixture of Liverpool’s Premier League title run-in.

The front three pick themselves, as does Alisson in goal, Virgil van Dijk at centre back and Andy Robertson at left-back.

Although back in training, the game comes too soon for Joe Gomez (and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain), so Joel Matip can keep his place ahead of Dejan Lovren despite the Croatian’s own return from injury. 

Man City sweating on major injury that could hand Liverpool huge advantage

Fabinho only played three minutes for Brazil over the international break so he can start. Gini Wijnaldum had a good break with the Netherlands so he can too, though I’d like to see him in a slightly more attacking role similar to his showings for the Dutch.

Jordan Henderson completes the midfield. Liverpool really can’t afford any slip-ups after Manchester City regained top spot on Saturday and you need your captain for games like this.

Another player to have enjoyed a strong international break, he’s back from injury and his presence alongside Fabinho should free up Wijnaldum to get forward more.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

'Don't expect any risks from Klopp'

Joe Rimmer: Liverpool cannot slip up against Tottenham, so don't expect Jurgen Klopp to take any risks with his team.

That means no Joe Gomez, no Xherdan Shaqiri and no Naby Keita.

Joel Matip will almost certainly play, having been in excellent form  in recent weeks.

In midfield, I expect Jurgen Klopp to go with Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum and one of Jordan Henderson or James Milner. I'd go with the latter.

It's the usual front three, with the likes of Shaqiri and Divock Origi kept in reserve.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

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