When Trent Alexander-Arnold returns from injury, Jurgen Klopp must decide whether to start him right away when Liverpool visits Tottenham.
The Reds’ match against Ange Postecoglou’s undefeated Spurs at their home stadium on Saturday night will likely be their toughest test to date.
Tottenham is one of only four teams playing under the Australian who haven’t lost in the Premier League, although Liverpool are also in that group and are placed above them in second place.
Following four straight 3-1 wins, including a comeback at Leicester in the League Cup in the middle of the week, Klopp is anticipated to vary his lineup once more.
How, therefore, might Liverpool form a line in north London?
Team news
On Friday, Klopp provided a pleasant update with one in and one out:
Alexander-Arnold is back in the gym and “looks like he can be in the squad”
But Stefan Bajcetic (calf) has had a “little setback” and “have to take him out.”
Conor Bradley (back) and Thiago (hip) are both “still out”
Liverpool’s XI vs. Tottenham
Alexander-Arnold has missed four games for Liverpool due to a hamstring injury, and it was thought “too early” for him to return in the League Cup match against Leicester. However, Klopp said on Friday that Alexander-Arnold “can be in the squad.” It is uncertain whether he will be one of a likely 10 changes to the lineup on Saturday.
With the changes from Wednesday, this lineup would be used: Alisson behind a back four of Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson Curtis Jones would be the only player kept, along with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai First-choice attack of Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez restored
Salah, Diaz, Nunez; Gomez; Konate; Van Dijk; Robertson; Mac Allister; Szoboszlai;
After a full week of practice, Klopp might still start Alexander-Arnold, but there are also other choices.
Konate, who played 90 minutes against Leicester, might need to be rested by the manager, and Joel Matip could fill in at center defense.
There is a case to be made, though, that Jones should be replaced by Ryan Gravenberch because he was the only player to start the victories over West Ham and Leicester in a span of four days.
Darwin Nunez is yet to start a Premier League away game this season, despite the fact that it may not be a popular choice.
In light of this, Klopp might select the following:
Return of Alexander-Arnold, while Matip teams up with Van Dijk, Gravenberch makes his Premier League debut, and is joined by Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
To lead the line, Cody Gakpo will be followed by Salah and Diaz.
If it were the case, Liverpool would seem as follows:
Salah, Diaz, Gakpo; Mac Allister; Alexander-Arnold; Matip; Van Dijk; Robertson; Szoboszlai; and Szoboszlai
The fact that it is an away game against what may be the Reds’ toughest opponent yet may make it more difficult to forecast Klopp’s starting team.
However, Liverpool would still be expected to deploy their greatest team possible and give it their all in an effort to open the league season with a sixth victory in a row.
