Liverpool take on Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday and out writers have picked their teams
Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo will both be vying for a start
Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo will both be vying for a start
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After sweeping to an impressive victory over Newcastle at Anfield last Saturday, Liverpool might have had mixed feelings about having a week off before they face Manchester City.
On the one had the Reds will obviously welcome the rest in what has been a hectic season, but on the other they woud perhaps have wanted to build on the momentum generated by what was perhaps their best Premier League performance of the campaign.
Next up come Pep Guardiola's men though, and while the visitors will need a win if they are keep alive any faint title aspirations, it is all about Champions League qualification for Arne Slot and his side.
Here's what our writers would do with their starting line-ups.
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Ian Doyle
It's the big one. And if Liverpool are to get a much-needed victory at home to Manchester City, they're going to have to produce another decent Anfield display. What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
Having had more than a week to prepare, there's no need for rotation with Liverpool going as strong as possible.
That means Alisson Becker is in goal, Milos Kerez at left-back and Ibrahima Konate partners captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. With Joe Gomez not ready, Dominik Szoboszlai has to continue at right-back for at least one more game.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister remain the pivot with Florian Wirtz the number 10. And up top, Hugo Ekitike leads the line with Cody Gakpo on the left and Mohamed Salah the right.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Paul Gorst
Once more the problem for Liverpool is at right-back where the options are basically midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai or Calvin Ramsay, who has never played a Premier League game for the club.
Joe Gomez may offer some further food for thought but he might be needed as centre-back cover if he is OK to return after an injury at Bournemouth a fortnight ago. The options are few and far between right now. Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez gets the nod over Andy Robertson.
In midfield, with Szoboszlai needed to 'do a job' at right-back, Curtis Jones returns alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. Wataru Endo can wait in the wings if needed to keep it tight late on.
That means Florian Wirtz is in the front three this afternoon and Cody Gakpo is on the bench. Hugo Ekitike leads the line, of course, and Mohamed Salah is stationed as he so often is on the right side of the attack.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.
Mark Jones
It ultimately comes down to the choice between two players for this one, but they are in very different positions.
We all know that Dominik Szoboszlai will start at right-back, and also that that will create a gap in midfield which needs to be filled. It's just... who do you fill it with.
Given that it is City, and that he'splayed well against them before, I'd go with Curtis Jones in there with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, with the World Cup winner as the most advanced of the three. That then moves Florian Wirtz out to the left to make up the attack with Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.
Cody Gakpo is the odd man out in this side, effectively losing out to Jones, but the Dutchman will undoubtedly be needed to make an impact off the bench.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.
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Ian Doyle
Ian Doyle