Liverpool host David Moyes’ West Ham at Anfield up next in the Premier League and Jurgen Klopp is expected to ring the changes again.
Following their Carabao Cup triumph up with an FA Cup win over Norwich City, the Reds are flying at the moment.
I’m beginning to understand why Manchester City love the league cup so much – it’s huge for confidence and could have hugely positive repercussions for momentum as Liverpool could go on to book their place in the quarter-finals of both the FA Cup and the Champions League final a week after winning the tournament.
Now, Norwich City aren’t the most challenging opponent and Inter Milan are already 2-0 down but the job still needs to be finished off and Liverpool need to overcome West Ham before they can turn their attention to Europe.
Which is why I expect Jurgen Klopp to ring the changes in the Premier League off the back of Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Norwich City.
In goal, I would expect none other than the world’s best 1 v 1 shot-stopper, Alisson Becker, to start.
Caoimhin Kelleher did a wonderful job against Chelsea and deserved his night in the spotlight more than any other player at the club after getting us there in the first place but now that sentimentality is out of the way, Alisson needs to be back between the sticks.
In front of him, the tried and tested quartet of Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely take over from the four defenders that did the job against Norwich City.
I’m particularly heartbroken for Matip as he was robbed of what would have been an iconic cup goal when his header was disallowed against Chelsea but we get our hands on the cup in the end and that’s all that matters.
Van Dijk has looked to be back to his best recently and his penalty against the Blues was cold. He could set the record for the most consecutive Premier League home games unbeaten (60) if the Reds beat West Ham.
In midfield, Thiago is missing so my hope is that we will see a trio of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Naby Keita as it gives the Reds the best balance between attack and defence.
The latter was fantastic at Wembley despite being given just 15 minutes to prepare for the cup final and so hopefully that performance is rewarded with a start.
Up front, we are surely set to see Luis Diaz start again with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
The Colombian, who is apparently yet to learn fluent English, has taken to this Liverpool side like a fish to water and I cannot wait to see him play again.
Predicted starting XI: Alisson, Robbo, van Dijk, Matip, Trent, Fabinho, Hendo, Keita, Diaz, Mane, Salah.
