Liverpool starting lineup vs. Newcastle: Two choices for Klopp & Mac Allister’s comeback?

Liverpool’s 2024 campaign will kick off against Newcastle, a team with a strong recent record against them. But how will Jurgen Klopp set up his squad for this encounter?

After defeating Burnley 2-0 on Boxing Day, the Reds secured their place in the title race and will be eager to put more pressure on their opponents on New Year’s Day.

Although Klopp still faces a number of injury concerns, the team still has a lot of talent, so he should have enough to finish the job.

This is how Liverpool might line up on Monday night.

Team news

The boss gave us this information while teasing the fight:

• Alexis Mac Allister is back in training; for Newcastle, “we shall see.”
• Andy Robertson’s dislocated shoulder still has “a long way to go.”
• Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago are out for the foreseeable future.

Liverpool’s XI vs. Newcastle

In Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas’ absence, Joe Gomez has been the man to step into the left-back slot, and he should have a pretty safe spot for the upcoming weeks.

Although Mac Allister’s return to training may put him in the running, Monday night is probably too soon for him to get going.

The manager has plenty of alternatives up top as well, with Diogo Jota’s hamstring recuperation and Cody Gakpo’s return to form offering him lots of issues.

Considering that, this is how it might appear:

• Unchanged back four from Burnley
• Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai to return in the middle
• Luis Diaz to replace Cody Gakpo up front

This is how Liverpool would line up:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

As an alternative, the manager might choose to switch up a few places and deviate from what we think is the most likely starting lineup.

If Mac Allister is cleared to play from the start, Klopp will have another option in the middle of the park thanks to his return to fitness.

With the exception of his suspension against Brentford at home, the World Cup winner was always present in the league lineups before his injury.

Darwin Nunez or Diaz would lose out since Gakpo will believe he has given enough to deserve to remain at the top of the pitch.

Let’s examine an alternative lineup configuration for the Reds.

• The defence is still in place as it was on Boxing Day.
• Mac Allister to start ahead of Jones in midfield
• Gakpo will maintain his spot among the top three at Diaz’s expense.

This is how that would look:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Liverpool will be fully confident that they can defeat Newcastle for the sixth time in a row, even with the injuries.

The team is currently in a good mood, and Anfield is expected to be electric for the bank holiday kickoff at 8 p.m. (GMT).

Let’s get another win, Reds.