‘Superstar’ Ruled Out: Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal in the FA Cup

How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently

Alisson Becker has started in goal. Virgil van Dijk starts at centre-back with Ibrahima Konate, or occasionally Jarell Quansah, next to him. Trent Alexander-Arnold has played right-back, though inverting, and Joe Gomez has filled in at left-back.

Wataru Endo, player of the month, is having a fabulous season as a number six. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch complete the midfield three, though Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott have played a lot of minutes due to injuries.

The preferred front three seems to be Luis Diaz (left), Darwin Nunez (striker), and Mohamed Salah (right). However, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo have played much more than a bit part role – often starting.

Liverpool Recent Form and Tactics

Liverpool battered Newcastle on New Year’s Day in a 4-2 win. The Reds accumulated an XG of 7.11, a record in the Premier League since records began. They took 34 shots, forced ten saves, and had nine big chances; the Magpies had just five shots.

A big part of this was their frighteningly quick counter-attacks. They had an abundance of fast breaks, including Salah’s opening goal and Jota’s run to win their second penalty.

However, their dangerous attack also leaves themselves open to be countered. A great transitional Newcastle attack, including some impressive dribbling from Anthony Gordon, led to Alexander Isak’s equaliser.

Despite scoring two and getting precariously close to a third, Salah was a great creative outlet. The Egyptian created two clear-cut chances that Nunez failed to convert and executed a fabulous trivela cross to assist Gakpo.

Nunez continued his trend of failing to be clinical, having seven shots, missing three big chances, and an XG of 1.70 without scoring.

Liverpool Injuries to Consider

Szoboszlai went off against Newcastle with a hamstring problem and, whilst “Dom is very positive, doesn’t have a lot of pain.” Klopp revealed that there is “no chance obviously for Sunday, not for Wednesday.” The “superstar” will be missed. He has been a big creative outlet this season.

Endo is away with Japan at the Asia Cup, whilst Salah is at the African Cup of Nations with Egypt.

Klopp explained that tactics may change: “Nobody else who plays that wing should play like Mo, it’s not possible, so we just have to find another way.”

Andy Robertson is getting “closer and closer” to a return following his shoulder surgery.

Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara are still out with no estimated timeline.

Kostas Tsimikas will be out for the long term with a broken collarbone, and Joel Matip is out for the season.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup

GK: Alisson Becker

LB: Joe Gomez

CB: Virgil van Dijk

CB: Jarell Quansah

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

CM: Ryan Gravenberch

DM: Alexis Mac Allister

CM: Curtis Jones

LW: Luis Diaz

ST: Diogo Jota

RW: Harvey Elliott