Liverpool take on Sunderland in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening, and our writers have picked their teams
Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni could both come into contention
Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni could both come into contention(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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And so Liverpool go again at Sunderland. Exactly the same? Well we'll see.
The chaos at the end of the Manchester City game might only feel like five minutes ago, but this relentless campaign continues at the Stadium of Light this evening, where the hosts are unbeaten at home this campaign.
If that feels like it will be a tall order for Liverpool then that is because it probably will be, but the Reds have at least been dangled a carrot when it comes to Champions League qualification for next season with Chelsea and Manchester United both dropping points on Tuesday night.
How should they play it on Wearside though? We asked our writers to name the XIs they'd pick.
Ian Doyle
Don't worry folks, it's nearly all over. Just three-and-a-bit months away is the end of the Premier League season, and everyone of a Liverpool persuasion is looking forward to it. But there are games to play still, alas. Starting at Sunderland this evening.
What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
No change in goal as that's Alisson Becker. And Milos Kerkez can remain at left-back, with Ibrahima Konate again partnering captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. The right-back position is an obvious issue, but Curtis Jones seems the most sensible option.
It does, though, mean there isn't a lot of scope for rotation elsewhere. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister continue at the base of midfield while Florian Wirtz is the number 10.
Up top, it's still Hugo Ekitike leading the line with Cody Gakpo left and Mohamed Salah right.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Paul Gorst
Another Liverpool game brings with it another debate about what happens at right-back. It's been the season-long problem for the Reds who have had about half a dozen different players operate there to date.
For me, I am going to pick Wataru Endo in there this evening. The midfielder would undoubtedly prefer to play in the middle of the park but needs-must and it's a rare start for the Japan international in the Premier League.
The rest of the backline has a more familiar look about it and Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez complete the back four. Alisson Becker keeps his place in goal.
In midfield, I'm going with something of a box formation with Curtis Jones and Florian Wirtz operating ahead of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. It pretty much means all the available midfielders are on the pitch but with the options stretched, it does at least mean Cody Gakpo can provide an alternative off the bench up top.
Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike will partner each other in attack. Salah on the right and Ekitike off the left. Gakpo can be the first reserve with Federico Chiesa also on the bench if needed. This is a huge game tonight.
My team (4-2-2-2): Alisson; Endo, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitike.
Mark Jones
Sometimes you just need to introduce a new character into a story that has gone stale. Step forward Trey Nyoni.
No I haven't lost leave of my senses, and I don't expect Arne Slot to do this at all, but I'd be all for telling the talented teenager - who looked to me to be a bit bigger and broader when he came on against Qarabag - to start as the No.10 and do his best Dominik Szoboszlai impression for an hour at the Stadium of Light.
No, I'm not expecting him to fire in 30 yard free-kicks, but Nyoni can bring an energy and a dynamism to a Liverpool side who need to be physically up for the fight this evening. With Curtis Jones surely the best option at right-back, Nyoni can be tasked with putting 90 minutes of running in to a 60 minute performance and help Liverpool try and wrestle some control of the game.
With Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister behind him and Florian Wirtz off the left, that also strengthens the bench and allows Slot to call on the likes of Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson, Federico Chiesa, Wataru Endo and maybe even Joe Gomez if needed.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Nyoni, Wirtz; Ekitike.
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