OPINION
Liverpool secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brighton at the Amex on Saturday in order to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points.
They now go into the home clash with Crystal Palace this weekend hoping to continue their success in the league and ensure that the gap between them and Manchester City is substantial.
In order to field the best possible team to face the Eagles at Anfield on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp must make three changes to the side that were victorious over the Seagulls, with two of them being enforced due to further injury.
The Liverpool Echo report that right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold faces up to a month on the sidelines due to sustaining a knee ligament injury, while midfielder Gini Wijnaldium also suffered a knee injury.
In goal, Alisson must start as normal.
However, it is in the defence where the two changes must be made due to injury. Having displayed his versatility before by playing at full-back, mainstay James Milner – who has played 25 games in total this season – must replace Alexander-Arnold at right-back, especially with there being limited options due to Nathaniel Clyne going out on loan.
The central defence can return to relative normality on Saturday, as the Echo also report that Joel Matip is fit once again after his collarbone injury, this means that Fabinho – who is 6ft 2in [Transfermarkt] – must be axed in order to accommodate him, despite deputising well in the role.
Andy Robertson of course must keep his place at left-back, and the third and final change should come in the midfield. With Wijnaldum potentially missing the Palace clash due to hurting his knee against Brighton, Klopp must not risk playing him and cause further problems – he must start Naby Keita instead, who will play alongside Jordan Henderson and Xherdan Shaqiri.
The attack no doubt remains a no-brainer for the manager, especially after the damage the front three have done this season. Despite the fact that they were not at their most dangerous on Saturday due to a steady Seagulls defence, Mo Salah must start on right, Sadio Mane must start on left, leaving Roberto Firmino to spearhead the strikeforce.
If Klopp makes the right decisions regarding his starting XI on Saturday, then his team can surely blitz past Palace with ease.
