Alisson Becker is tonight expected to return to Liverpool’s starting lineup against Chelsea after the goalkeeper sat out their win at Sheffield United on Sunday following the death of his father.
Fabinho, who has played just one of the last eight because of injury, is also set for his first appearance in the squad while Diogo Jota, whose return at Bramall Lane following nearly three months out was denied by illness, is also back for Thursday’s Premier League clash at Anfield.
Klopp now has better options, with Fabinho, who has played most of the season covering at centre-back, also able to play in midfield, which means the manager could continue with the partnership of Nat Phillips and Ozan Kabak, the 14th different starting combination in 26 Premier League matches and their 17th overall this season.
“If we can find a way to bring Fab back in midfield that would be in some games quite helpful,” added the Reds boss.
“The most consistent player probably this season is Gini Wijnaldum: he played the six, all the positions, but Fab in at six in some games would be absolutely helpful.
“In the past we had to bring players in almost immediately because another player left the pitch injured the game before and now we don’t have to do that for the first time. Is Fab ready to start or is he only ready for the bench? Then which position? These decisions are still to make.
“Stability (in defence) would be great but we changed it that often, maybe we made a habit of it. I heard there were people were quite critical of both of them (Kabak and Phillips) which is really picky to be honest.”
Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Thiago; Mane, Firmino, Salah
Injury list: Henderson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip
Doubts: Kelleher, Jota
Liverpool squad: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Fabinho, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane, Adrian, N Williams, Phillips, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner, Shaqiri, Jota, Origi.
