Liverpool’s team to face Manchester City at Anfield on New Year’s Eve practically picks itself…
Simon Mignolet has only conceded once in the three games since his recall so will start between the sticks, with Loris Karius backing him up from the bench.
Nathaniel Clyne is quite literally ever-present at right-back, while James Milner provides similar dynamism on the left of the defence.
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We’d have loved Joel Matip to return at centre-back, but the Cameroonian is struggling to overcome his niggles, meaning Ragnar Klavan should continue alongside Dejan Lovren. The pair have actually been very good the past three matches.
Jordan Henderson anchors the midfield, while Gini Wijnaldum is currently ahead of Emre Can in the pecking order for the spot to the right. Liverpool’s best player right now, Adam Lallana, plays to the left – and will be looking to add to his seven goals and six assists this season.
Coutinho is not fit enough to return, meaning the now familiar front-three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Divock Origi is almost certain to start. Daniel Sturridge came into the side and scored against Stoke, but we’d expect to see the Englishman from the bench rather than the outset.
This team battered Stoke three days ago, and will hopefully have enough to defeat Pep Guardiola’s City side. Here’s hoping, anyway!
