Klopp’s likely XI v Chelsea: The team we think Liverpool will start with today

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Barring a few positions, Liverpool’s team picks itself.

Alisson between the sticks, Trent and Robbo at fullback, Virgil van Dijk in central defence – and the regular front-three – are automatic picks when 90% fit or more.

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There’s only a few spots up for debate today, which could be an absolutely crucial in the race for the Premier League title.

Manchester City have Crystal Palace at 2pm, before we host Chelsea at Anfield.

We reckon Jurgen Klopp will field Joel Matip alongside van Dijk, despite Dejan Lovren’s return to the fold v FC Porto midweek. Matip’s been excellent this calendar year, and we see no reason to change a largely winning formulae.

The midfield is where serious decisions have to be made. There is a possibility Klopp will go with Jordan Henderson as the holder, with James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum in more advanced roles beside him – but we actually think there’ll be a slight alteration to the central three he so often chooses in big games.

We think Fabinho will hold, allowing Henderson a spot in the box-to-box position to his right. On the other side, Wijnaldum is the expected pick, despite Naby Keita scoring two goals in two games.

This is very harsh on Keita, but against such a dangerous side, we need a midfielder with slightly more tactical nous.

Our predicted XI: Alisson; Trent, Robbo, Matip, van Dijk; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Firmino

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