Liverpool welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Wednesday evening, just three days after losing to them on penalties in the Capital One Cup final.
Jurgen Klopp’s men didn’t perform as well as they could have at Wembley and it’s probably fair to say that the side who played better on the day won the trophy, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept for Reds fans.
As well as looking for some retribution, Liverpool will know that they must win the game if they even want to keep alive the remote possibility of finishing in the top four.
Wins for Chelsea and Everton on Tuesday evening mean that the Reds have slipped to 11th position in the Premier League table, but a win tonight could see them move up to seventh, depending on Stoke City’s result at home to Newcastle.
Lucas, who performed well at centre-half at Wembley will miss the game with a muscle injury and Mamadou Sakho also looks set to miss out after he was forced off in the cup final with a head injury. Daniel Sturridge was suffering with cramp in extra-time so he too might get a rest.
With all that in mind, here is the XI that I think Klopp will select tonight:
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
Mignolet was once again responsible for a goal at the weekend and to be honest, he isn’t good enough to Liverpool’s goalkeeper.
However, Klopp seems reluctant to give youngster Danny Ward a starting role so the Belgian will once again retain his place.
Right-back: Nathaniel Clyne
The jury is still out on Clyne really. A lot of fans rate him whilst others don’t see the fuss. Either way, he’ll start tonight and will probably be tasked with marking Raheem Sterling.
Centre-back: Martin Skrtel
With Sakho and Lucas out and Skrtel back in training, I think Klopp will choose to bring him back into the side.
Centre-back: Kolo Toure
Kolo will have been disappointed to have been dropped for the final, but he will get the chance to make up for that tonight.
Left-back: Jon Flanagan
Call this one a hunch but I get the feeling that Klopp, like a lot of Liverpool fans, is getting fed up with Alberto Moreno.
Whilst Flanagan won’t offer the same pace in attack, he should do a better job at defending than the Spaniard.
Midfield: Emre Can
If any one player sums up Liverpool’s season, it’s Emre Can. Sometimes he looks like a world-beater, other times he looks like he’s never played football in his life. Let’s hope we get good Emre tonight!
Midfield: Jordan Henderson
The skipper hasn’t been in great form if truth be told and Joe Allen’s performances before he was injured mean that he’ll be putting pressure on Henderson, but I think the captain will start.
Midfield: James Milner
Milner has been like Liverpool’s Swiss Army knife this season, having been asked to do a lot of different jobs, including a spell at full-back in the cup final.
He’s another who divides opinion but Klopp keeps picking him so he must be doing something right!
Wide forward: Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian loves a goal against Man City, he’s scored against them five times in six games. Let’s hope he can add to that tonight!
Wide forward: Roberto Firmino
Firmino didn’t have a great game against City at the weekend, but he certainly did in the last league meeting between the two sides.
He’ll be looking for an improved showing at Anfield.
Striker: Divock Origi
I think asking Daniel Sturridge to play from the start tonight is a huge risk and I have a feeling Klopp will feel the same way.
Origi deserves a chance to start after a string of impressive cameo performances.