Predicted Liverpool XI v West Brom – Lucas & Coutinho return to starting side

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Liverpool host West Brom on Sunday afternoon, hoping to right the wrongs of last week’s defeat to Newcastle.

A few first-teamers missed our Europa League match on Thursday and are likely to start at the weekend, but predicting the rest of the side has been slightly trickier.

Simon Mignolet will start in goal, looking for a consecutive clean-sheet following his shutout in Switzerland.

The back four picks itself, despite Brad Smith’s impressive Europa League outing. Martin Skrtel will come in for Kolo toure and will partner in-form Dejan Lovren. Nathaniel Clyne stays at right-back and Alberto Moreno will be in attacking mood down the left.

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Lucas didn’t travel to Switzerland so is a certainty to start at anchorman. We can see Emre Can starting despite a poor showing against FC Sion, because we missed him in the Premier League last time at Newcastle. Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Joe Allen are competing for the other spot in the central three, but with Milner taken off after the hour mark on Thursday, we think he’ll start.

Up top, Klopp is likely to bring Christian Benteke back into the fold while Divock Origi will drop back to the bench. Roberto Firmino has looked tired and poor in our past two fixtures could make way for Coutinho, who’ll be ready to start following his substitute cameo midweek.

We’d prefer Lallana, Coutinho and Firmino to start up top as they did at City and Chelsea, but the summer signing’s recent outings make that difficult.

The back five picks itself while two of the midfield spots also do. Jordon Ibe will want a start but could start on the bench after a midweek illness.

Here’s how we think Klopp will start:

LiverpoolWBA - Football tactics and formations

More Stories Adam Lallana Alberto Moreno Christian Benteke Coutinho Dejan Lovren Emre Can James Milner Lucas Martin Skrtel Nathaniel Clyne Simon Mignolet