Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp watches players warm up ahead of the English League Cup final football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, north-west London on February 27, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
With a game in hand once again presenting Liverpool with the opportunity to close the gap to Manchester City down to three points, the club’s upcoming meeting with West Ham is of great significance.
Bearing in mind the last time Jurgen Klopp’s men faced a league opponent before the Cityzens were due to play – the English top-flight leaders went on to drop points to Tottenham – many will hope that a positive result against the Hammers could deliver a similar outcome.
One cup down, the Merseysiders will no doubt be on the hunt for further silverware after Taki Minamino’s double against Norwich kept the side’s hopes of a quadruple alive.
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Ahead of Alisson Becker in goal, Virgil van Dijk seems bolt-on to be joined in the centre of the backline with his main defensive partner this term in Joel Matip.
In the middle of the park, with Jordan Henderson having started two games in four days, we’d be far from surprised to see the skipper start on the bench with a midfield trio of Fabinho, Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott favoured.
Up top, it’ll be business as usual with Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah likely contenders to be given the nod.
Having produced some electric performances since his switch from the Primeira Liga, we’ll be hoping to see our latest signing expand on his one goal in the English top-flight thus far.
EOTK’s XI: Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Trent, Fabinho, Keita, Elliott, Diaz, Mane, Salah
#Ep37 of The Red Nets Podcast: European Super League 2.0, the impact of the League Cup win… and more!
