Liverpool returns home for just the second time this season, when they host Hull City on Saturday. The Reds are coming off a big win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, and then topped Derby 3-0 midweek in the EFL Cup.
Editor’s note: this Liverpool starting XI prediction and corresponding analysis was composed by Will Willems (@willdub88)
The battle for No. 1 keeper at Liverpool is underway, with Loris Karius starting at Derby and getting the shutout. Mignolet hasn’t done anything wrong this season and doesn’t really deserved to be dropped, but a home game against Hull seems like a good chance for Karius to make his Premier League debut.
The defense seems to be a straight-forward decision for Jurgen Klopp lately. Clyne, Lovren, Matip and Milner have been the back four several games in a row now and there is no need to change it with the team playing well. Matip and Lovren in particular have been forming a strong partnership in the middle of the field.
Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum were held out midweek at Derby but will be ready to go against Hull. Lallana has played extremely well this season and the partnership of Henderson and Wijnaldum has been getting better in the past few games. Emre Can is getting closer to being fully fit, but isn’t there yet, so there isn’t many decisions for Klopp to make yet with his three midfielders.
The Reds have numerous attacking options and that creates a good headache for Jurgen Klopp.
Sadio Mane is probably the one definite, especially after resting against Derby County. The questions come with the other two spots. As tough as it is to leave Coutinho out of the line-up, Sturridge and Firmino get the nod over him, mainly because when the Reds looked their best offensively this year against Leicester, they led the line. Sturridge does face a late fitness test after sitting out practice all week, but he is expected to be fit.
If he can’t go, Coutinho slides in the left and Firmino up top.
Liverpool starting XI prediction:
GK Loris Karius
RB Nathanial Clyne – CB Joel Matip – CB Dejan Lovren – LB James Milner
MF Georginio Wijnaldum – MF Jordan Henderson – MF Adam Lallana
RW Sadio Mane – FW Daniel Sturridge – LW Roberto Firmino
As always, feel free to post your own Liverpool starting XI in the comments section below. Speak your mind on the formations and line-ups that are already presented here for your discussion.