Liverpool return to Premier League action tonight in a clash of massive importance against Merseyside rivals Everton.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have been dreadful for much of this season, and the poor performances which rocked the boat before the World Cup have been worsened by the awful recent form which has now capsized the squad into depths scarcely plunged under the often successful tutelage of the esteemed German.
Everton have been even worse, languishing in 18th place in the English top flight after 22 matches and facing a second successive campaign fraught with relegation concerns.
However, the recent managerial appointment of Sean Dyche has offered initial signs of promise, with his first game in the job against league leaders Arsenal resulting in a battling 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.
Liverpool will need to rekindle some of their former vigour and cohesion if they are to prevent their local rivals from quashing them on their own soil, and the timely return of Diogo Jota from a long-term injury could provide the necessary spark.
With this in mind, this is how Football FanCast expects Liverpool to line up against Everton in the Premier League on Monday night, with three changes from the dismal 3-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out…
What could Liverpool’s line-up look like vs Everton?
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Gomez, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
Alisson, who has been one of Liverpool’s few shining lights this season, will continue between the sticks, holding a respectable Sofascore rating of 7.10 despite his team’s dreadful defensive displays of late.
After the Wolves debacle, Klopp must consider swapping out a centre-back. Joel Matip may get the axe after a particularly chastening display at Molineux in which he scored an own goal, with Nathaniel Phillips offered a rare chance to impress and possibly getting just his second league start of the season.
The midfield will also see some modification tonight. Thiago is now sidelined indefinitely after another injury setback, so Jordan Henderson might now return to the fold.
Meanwhile, Naby Keita – who is out of contract in the summer and was branded “shocking” by one sport writer after last month’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton in which he lost all of his duels – could return to the bench.
Fabinho may be given another chance to rekindle some form after a noticeable dip in recent weeks and months, so Stefan Bajetic is the only midfield starter from nine days ago to keep his place tonight.
The ostensible return of Jota is indeed a galvanising boost to Liverpool’s fortunes, but a starting berth tonight might be too tall an order for a returning player who last tasted competitive action in October. Therefore, Klopp might be inclined to stick with the same front three of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo from the Reds’ last game.
A first Premier League victory of 2023 will be considered imperative for the Reds, but it won’t come easily against a manager in Dyche who has a fine record at Anfield, claiming at least a point in three of his last five visits to the ground as Burnley boss.