Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp should make wholesale changes to the starting lineup for the FA Cup quarter-final clash with Nottingham Forest.
Whilst the Reds will be dreaming of an unprecedented quadruple as the last international break looms, there remains a necessity to utilise the entire squad.
Having swept aside all before them in recent weeks, a shot at immortality is suddenly upon Klopp’s side and some smart rotation here could stand them in positive stead.
That's now 5 goals in as many @Carabao_Cup games for Takumi Minamino 🙌
Love it, @takumina0116 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/8T2I6b8gLF
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 27, 2021
Albeit now a pivotal stage of the competition and the case of a serious threat posed by playoff-chasing Forest, in the likes of Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi, Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez, the Reds now have impressive strength in depth.
A host of big-name stars may be rested for this one as one player who is definitely ruled out is Trent Alexander-Arnold due to a hamstring injury.
Here’s how we think Klopp should lineup at the City Ground…
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Predicted XI: Alisson; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; James Milner, Harvey Elliott, Naby Keita; Takumi Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi.
Predicted Subs: Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago.
This lineup will give Klopp an opportunity to see Gomez at right-back, something that could be required when domestic action returns with Alexander-Arnold sidelined.
Furthermore, with the likes of Van Dijk and Firmino in situ, it gives the side enough experience and quality to prevail whilst also allowing the German boss to rotate from the bench if possible.
With both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah set to face off in a crucial match over the break, both should be given a full rest ahead of the exertions to come.
