Liverpool

Predicted starting lineup, official team news, and most recent injury updates for Liverpool vs. Norwich’s FA Cup match

Published

1 year ago

January 27, 2024

What is still a crucial game for the Reds at Anfield has been overshadowed by Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure.

Jurgen Klopp’s decision to depart Anfield in the summer has cast a shadow over Sunday’s FA Cup match between Norwich and Liverpool. However, the Reds manager must first make several decisions on his starting lineup.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was observed working out on Friday, despite Klopp’s assessment that he was doubtful to make a full recovery from a knee injury.

Despite being labelled as “touch and go” by the Liverpool boss, both Andrew Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai are believed to be nearing their comebacks. The Scottish full-back was not deployed as a substitute in the midweek Carabao Cup match against Fulham.

In order to progressively reintroduce the returning three ahead of Wednesday’s match against Chelsea and the Premier League title match against Arsenal the following weekend, Klopp might decide to start with some or all of them on the bench.

The choice of how to accommodate Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley alongside Robertson and Alexander-Arnold will need to be made because they have both recently shown promise as full-backs.

There is also a lot of competition for the Merseysiders to take into account in the midfield, where teenage Bobby Clark and Curtis Jones are vying for starting positions.

Diogo Jota, a forward, was not starting for Fulham but could be brought into the starting lineup.

To prevent an upset or unwelcome repeat, Klopp might choose to open the fourth-round match with a solid lineup, with a number of young players hoping to get some playing time on the bench.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Gakpo, Nunez, Jota

Doubts: Alexander-Arnold

Injuries: Thiago, Bajcetic, Matip, Tsimikas, Salah, Doak

Unavailable: Salah, Endo

Liverpool has Jeremie Frimpong on their radar.

Jeremie Frimpong

According to sources who spoke to Football Insider, Liverpool is one of the teams keeping an eye on Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong’s condition.

Aston Villa is interested in the 23-year-old, and if they qualify for the Champions League, they may make him a realistic target, according to a report published by Football Insider on Tuesday, January 9.

After his outstanding Bundesliga achievements for Leverkusen, Frimpong is rumoured to be coveted by both Man United and Arsenal.

The growing interest in the Netherlands international ahead of a potential transition at the end of the 2023–24 season is known to Xabi Alonso’s team.

The Netherlands international is expected to become available through a release clause valued at approximately £35 million later this year.

Throughout the 2023–24 season, Frimpong—a former star for both Celtic and Man City—has played only on the right flank of a 3–4–3 formation. He is under contract in Germany until June 2028.

In his 22 appearances in all competitions this season, he has managed seven goals and ten assists.

After signing with Leverkusen in January 2021, the right-footer has played 117 games for the team, scoring 18 goals and dishing out 30 assists.

Liverpool is considering promoting Trent Alexander-Arnold to a more regular midfield position while they contemplate making a move for a new right-back.

In recent seasons, Alexander-Arnold’s backup has been Joe Gomez, a traditional center-back.

The 23-year-old is also being sought after by Arsenal and Manchester United, who may enter the hunt for his signature during the summer transfer window once concerns about Financial Fair Play are allayed.