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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Thiago named on bench as Liverpool make two changes for Newcastle match

Nat Phillips will make only his third Premier League appearance as Liverpool aim to move five points clear at the Premier League summit this evening.

Phillips has been preferred ahead of Rhys Williams as partner to Fabinho at centre-back in the absence of Joel Matip for the clash at Newcastle United.

The greater intrigue, though, will surround the selection of Thiago Alcantara on the bench, the Spaniard’s first involvement since suffering a knee injury at Everton on October 17.

Jurgen Klopp has made two changes from the side that drew against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Former Newcastle man Gini Wijnaldum is replaced in midfield by James Milner, who is making his first outing since suffering a hamstring problem at Brighton and Hove Albion a month ago.

Alisson Becker is in goal, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson continuing in the full-back roles.

Skipper Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones join Milner in midfield, while the front three remains unchanged.

Naby Keita again misses out with the fitness issue that sidelined him at the weekend.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Subs: Kelleher, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Shaqiri, Origi, R Williams, N Williams.

NEWCASTLE: Darlow, Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Hayden, M. Longstaff, Murphy, Joelinton, Wilson.

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