Liverpool line-ups as Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz decisions made for Leeds

‘Another chance for Curtis Jones’

Paul Gorst: With just three away wins all season, Liverpool might be venturing up to Leeds with a sense of trepidation this evening. But having not played for eight days, Jurgen Klopp has had ample time to tweak his set-up, which is something the Reds boss rarely has.

The big question is what he does with Trent Alexander-Arnold. The No.66 was playing more as a central midfielder in the second half against Arsenal but I suspect even if that is the case at Elland Road, he will still start the game as an official right-back. Ibrahima Konate, and Virgil van Dijk continue at centre-back with Andy Robertson on the left.

In the centre of midfield, might this be a good chance for Curtis Jones to make a third successive start of the campaign? The Liverpool-born midfielder recently said he will do his best to convince he belongs at Anfield in the long term, so a strong end to the campaign for him will be vital after his injury troubles. I’m also starting Thiago Alcantara alongside Fabinho to complete the three.

Up top, the return of Luis Diaz is timely but the Colombian can expect to kick his heels on the bench to begin with. Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota is the other selection poser. I’ll start the former alongside Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Jones; Wrong, Gakpo, Nunez.

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‘Roberto Firmino comes in’

Ian Doyle: Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. That’s who is next for Liverpool this evening.

But who should be starting for Jurgen Klopp’s side?

Alisson Becker should remain in goal – if he is fit after missing training a bit last week, that is – with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk the centre-backs. In fact, with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back Andy Robertson on the other flank, the defence remains the same.

The midfield, though, does not. Jordan Henderson can move into the anchor role, but Thiago Alcantara comes in to his left and Harvey Elliott his right.

Up top, Darwin Nunez returns on the left flanks, Roberto Firmino down the middle and Mohamed Salah stays on the right.

Luis Diaz can get a run-out at some point in the second half.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Nunez.

‘Firmino can dictate the tempo’

Keifer Macdonald: Well, that was a long eight days, wasn’t it?

Plenty has happened since Liverpool and Arsenal played out one of the games of the season at Anfield last Sunday. Though one thing that hasn’t changed since that thrilling afternoon on Merseyside is the Reds’ pressing need to put points on the board if they are to pull off another last-gasp, get-out-of-jail card to secure Champions League qualification.

It means with just nine Premier League games left and without a win since March 5, Jurgen Klopp will look to go as close to full strength as possible at Elland Road on Monday night.

That means between the sticks stays Alisson Becker, who, despite missing a handful of training sessions last week, will benefit from Liverpool’s late weekend kick-off and look to continue his ever-present record in the Premier League this season.

Like the Brazilian, Ibrahima Konate has also missed a handful of training sessions in the build-up to Monday’s game and therefore could find himself facing a late fitness test. However should the Frenchman be passed fit, he will once again marshall a back four including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

Klopp’s first real decision comes in the centre of the park where he will be made to weigh up whether Thiago Alcantara’s eye-catching display against the Premier League leaders was enough to catapult himself into contention for a first league start since early February. That would mean Curtis Jones would drop to the bench after two consecutive league starts.

Alongside Alcantara, who gets the nod on the left-hand side, will be Jordan Henderson and Fabinho will look to build on his impressive second half performance against Arsenal last weekend at the base of midfield.

In attack, Mohamed Salah keeps his place on the right, however, Cody Gakpo is replaced by Roberto Firmin down the middle. The Brazilian proved once again last weekend that he still holds all the qualities to dictate the tempo of matches, and will offer Klopp’s men some control as they look to extinguish a firey Elland Road crowd. Completing the front three is Darwin Nunez on the left, who replaces Diogo Jota.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Nunez.

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