Jurgen Klopp has a number of selection decisions to consider on the trip to Wolves, which include suspensions, injuries and a late return from international duty.
The international break is over and we can all rejoice. But it’s an early start for the Reds in a season they didn’t much like last season.
Let’s hope that record sees a change when we kick off against Wolves as Liverpool look to add to the 10 points they have collected from the first four games of the season.
Klopp has a lot to think about when picking his team, the national team break plays a big part in his final decisions. We will make the calls and so they can play at Molineux.
Team news
There were a number of issues that needed to be addressed and Klopp helped with the latest squad update:
Virgil van Dijk was penalized for his red card reaction after being charged
Trent Alexander-Arnold is unavailable with a hamstring injury
Ibrahima Konate “Two Days Trained” is available.
Darwin Nunez “should be good”, Thiago “in” but not available
Liverpool vs Wolves line-up
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday 2 September 2023:
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Aston Villa FC at
The right defender has less clear options than Joe Gomez, although it will see a change in the position of Liverpool on the ball, with the No.2 and No.66 certainly having different profiles. The reshuffle sees Konate move back into central defense alongside Joel Matip in what would be his third start in one league since the start of the 2022/23 season.
Alexis MacAllister could start from the bench following his late return to Liverpool, while it would be no surprise to see two changes in the front three.
That would mean four changes from the last time the Reds took the field:
Gomez will take charge in the absence of Alexander-Arnold
Konate returns to central defense alongside Matip
Endo back in the XI as Jones retains his place on the left
Liverpool’s line-up would be as follows:
Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
We will probably see the aforementioned lineup, but Klopp could surprise us with a fresh face and the resilient Mac Allister.
The start is probably too early for new signing Ryan Gravenberch, but Liverpool’s World Cup winner could still be in the starting line-up if he is deemed to have recovered well from his late return after spending 162 minutes in Argentina.
After 180 intense minutes under Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas could only see 90 appearances at the break, even if that meant more changes to the back line. Tsimikas examines Robertson for “fresher” legs
Mac Allister raises his hand and joins Jones and Szoboszlai
Salah, Jota and Gakpo will enter the top three
With these improvements, the reds would take the following form:
Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas; MacAllister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
Whatever personnel Klopp chooses for his XI, they should have enough firepower to get the job done against a Wolves side who have won one of their four games.
However, the Reds have a dismal record of 12.30 not having won in any of the last six seasons. It’s safe to say it needs a change!
We saw Gravenberch participate on the bench for the first time since his move and we hope that his first experience will be full of players.
Three points, Reds!
