With Wednesday’s supreme 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final fresh in the memory, the Reds will once again take to the pitch for one of the season’s biggest games.
As the second leg of that tie looms on Tuesday, Liverpool fans might have their minds elsewhere; but with just six games left to play this season for the third-placed Liverpool, victory will be very important for securing next year’s Champions League football.
Due to the position of the game being sandwiched in between the City matches, we can expect to see some slightly more unfamiliar faces in the lineup, as Jürgen Klopp seeks to keep key players fresh to try and confirm Liverpool’s place in the Champions League semi final.
Here’s how we expect Liverpool to line up for the 231st Merseyside Derby.
GK: Loris Karius
The German shot-stopper has looked like a different man in recent months, and Klopp should be in no mood to disrupt his form.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne hasn’t appeared yet this season, and could make his return here. Youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to get another crack at Leroy Sane after he successfully pocketed the German on Wednesday, so his legs will be saved for then.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk
The big Dutchman has been all kinds of fantastic since joining in January, but with an injury crisis ruling out Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan, and Joe Gomez, the pricey defender will need to pull his weight around this time of congested fixtures.
CB: Conor Masterson
The teenager could make his senior debut on Saturday, with the results of that injury crisis being felt. A regular fixture in the age-group sides, the Irishman will have an experienced partner to help him out.
LB: Alberto Moreno
When Moreno lost his place in the starting eleven to Andrew Robertson, he was actually playing quite well. A substitute on Wednesday, Klopp will be hoping the time out hasn’t adversely affected the Spaniard’s form.
MF: Jordan Henderson (c)
The skipper’s yellow card against City will leave him suspended for the second league, but this may be a blessing in disguise – not having to worry about fitness levels for Tuesday will enable the leader of the club to play a full 90 minutes against Everton.
MF: Georginio Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum came on for Mohamed Salah on Wednesday, and with the suspension to Henderson and injuries ruling out Adam Lallana and Emre Can, may play on Tuesday as well.
MF: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
With his rasping drive from the week still playing over and over again in our heads, Oxlade will likely be called on again here. How his legs hold up is anyone’s guess.
RW: Danny Ings
Not traditionally a winger, but needs must. Having seen increased chances of late, the fan-favourite will almost certainly be turning out against Everton – the club his last goal came against, a full two years ago.
ST: Dominic Solanke
Whilst Solanke has received opportunities this season, he’s yet to deliver. This would mean he had started in both Merseyside derbies.
LW: Sadio Mane
I don’t know how long Mane might play, but with injuries affecting other wing options, he may have to turn in at least 45 minutes.
