Liverpool May make five changes against Chelsea as defender returns

Liverpool will play Chelsea when they return to Premier League action in an attempt to hold onto their five-point advantage.

Liverpool defeated Norwich City and advanced to the FA Cup fifth round with a five-star performance.

Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk, and Ryan Gravenberch were the five different goal scorers in the 5-2 victory. The best of the lot was Conor Bradley, who set up two goals and helped rookie James McConnell locate Jones for the first goal.

On Wednesday, the Premier League will resume with a practice match between Chelsea and Liverpool ahead of their Carabao Cup final next month. This matchup is a rematch of their first game, in which Luis Diaz’s initial goal was cancelled out by Axel Disasi in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Despite not being utilised as a substitute in Sunday’s victory, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s appearance was a step in the right direction towards his knee injury recuperation. The vice captain of Liverpool raised concerns when he was injured and missed the Carabao Cup semifinal matchup with Fulham as well as the victory over the Cherries. However, his comeback puts Jurgen Klopp in a difficult defensive situation.

Since taking over for the England international, Bradley hasn’t made a mistake. After four straight starts, Sunday’s Player of the Match may be able to hold onto his right-back spot, but Klopp’s confidence will be put to the test by Chelsea’s danger.

The same is true at left-back, where Joe Gomez has excelled since stepping in for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. Robertson, who has been out since October due to a shoulder injury, made his much-awaited comeback to the pitch on Sunday. Although Klopp is pleased with his prompt comeback, the form of Gomez and the likelihood of ring rust for the Scot support the England defender’s claim to stay in the starting lineup.

Alexis Mac Allister hint

On Sunday, Virgil van Dijk scored from the bench to replace Ibrahima Konate, and Jarell Quansah got the start. However, a defensive pairing of Van Dijk and Konate is probable given Joel Matip’s injury.

He sensed a slight discomfort, so we simply answered, “No, no, and I don’t want to know more,” and that was that. We allowed him to relax. After the victory on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp stated, “I think he should be ready for Wednesday.”

During the Carabao Cup victory over Fulham in midweek, Mac Allister sustained a serious injury. At Craven Cottage, the Argentine could proceed without any issues.

The 25-year-old’s absence from the victory over Norwich was unjustified, but based on Klopp’s response, it appears that he was given the option to rest.

In his complete Liverpool debut, McConnell filled in as a substitute, and he did a near flawless job playing deep number six.

Mac Allister’s form has improved after a difficult beginning. Wataru Endo, a midfielder for Japan, has asserted his right to return as the holding player while he is still on Asia Cup duty.

Jones was substituted just before the hour mark on Sunday because Liverpool was leading 3-1 and he needed a break. Harvey Elliott, who might have suggested a return to the midfield trio that began the match against AFC Bournemouth, was not allowed to play. Strong cameo by Dominik Szoboszlai, who made his competitive football comeback after suffering a hamstring injury in the New Year’s Day victory over Newcastle United was encouraging.

Nunez on the left?

On Sunday, Nunez and Jota were both in the goals. Six minutes after Ben Gibson’s equaliser, Nunez gave Liverpool the lead again with a powerful finish into the bottom corner.

Shortly after the hour, Cody Gakpo took the Uruguayan’s place on the pitch. Eight minutes after the restart, Jota extended his scoring run to give the Reds a two-goal lead. Mohamed Salah’s hamstring injury has kept him out of action for Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations, even though DR Congo eliminated Egypt on Sunday.

To keep the Colombian going, Luis Diaz was given an 11-minute cameo, maybe with an eye towards Wednesday. Nunez, Jota, and Diaz should be given starting berths based on their performance in previous games, as they did against AFC Bournemouth.

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Jones, Mac Allister, Elliott; Diaz, Jota, Nunez; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez,