For the most anticipated tie of the FA Cup 3rd round, Liverpool will be without two of their most important players – and possibly a third. Mo Salah, who picked up an injury against Leicester, is not fit. Both he and Sadio Mane will travel to the CAF Awards 48 hours before the game, which also casts doubts on Mane’s availability. Philippe Coutinho, rumoured once again to be going to Barcelona, is also “injured”.
Virgil van Dijk is expected to make his Liverpool debut but there is a definite question mark over the goalkeepers. Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius are the two main ‘keepers this season, but Danny Ward was expected to play the domestic cup games this campaign but Liverpool’s early exit to Leicester in the Carabao Cup has limited Ward’s pitch time.
Youngsters Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson may be given an opportunity to stake a claim in the first team. Ben Woodburn is more likely to feature after being on the bench against Burnley.
Take a look at the slideshow below to see who we think will start against Everton.
GK: Danny Ward
Klopp puts a lot of faith in his players and Danny Ward will also get that despite not playing a lot this season.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The young right back might get the start over Joe Gomez, who hasn’t been at his best recently.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk
Could make his debut after £75 million move from Southampton a few days ago.
CB: Joel Matip
Rested against Burnley so will likely start here. Favourite to be first choice partner to Van Dijk.
LB: Andy Robertson
Rested against Burnley so may well return to starting line up.
CDM: Emre Can
Will likely remain in starting XI despite some patchy form.
CM: James Milner
Could return to the starting XI in replace of Gini Wijnaldum.
CM: Adam Lallana
Made first start of season against Burnley and looked good. Made a good case to be included again.
RW: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Has impressed over recent weeks. Could start in a slightly different role on Friday.
LW: Sadio Mane
Klopp said “we sleep in a hotel, they sleep in a plane”. In other words, there’s no problem with Mane going to the African awards and he will likely feature against Everton. Will stay in team after scoring a boss goal versus Burnley.
ST: Roberto Firmino
Rested against Burnley and will probably return to starting line up to replace Dominic Solanke.