Liverpool can move at least temporarily into second in the Premier League table if they defeat relegation battlers Luton Town today. The Reds travel to Kenilworth Road for the first time in 15 years and may have Luis Diaz back in their match-day squad although his kidnapped father is yet to be reunited with their family. Express Sport looks at the line-up Jurgen Klopp is expected to start with at Luton…
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Caoimhin Kelleher played the midweek Carabao Cup win at Bournemouth but Alisson will return between the sticks here. The Brazil international has kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League but both came at Anfield. His last shut-out away from home in the league was at Leicester in May.
Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas
Only one of the back four who played in the League Cup is likely to start here. That is Kostas Tsimikas who will start at left-back in the absence of the injured Andy Robertson.
At centre-back, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will return to displace Joel Matip and Jarell Quansah. Trent Alexander-Arnold will come back in over Joe Gomez at right-back.
Midfield: Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai
There should also be complete changes in midfield after Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott started at Bournemouth. Alexis Mac Allister will be deployed as the deeper-lying No 6.
In front of him, though Jones came off on 60 minutes on Wednesday night, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch should start in the two No 8 positions. Szoboszlai played in a less familiar wide role on the south coast but will be deployed where he is best again for this one.
Attack: Salah, Nunez, Jota
Klopp said of Luis Diaz on Friday: “It’s all about him, if he makes himself available or not, and I will not force anything.” That means the Colombian could be back in the squad here although is likeliest to start from the bench.
The only starter from Bournemouth to keep their place here will be Mohamed Salah, who has five goals in his last three league matches and will fancy himself against a Luton backline that is conceding on average twice per game.
Centre-forward Darwin Nunez is in brilliant form too with a direct goal contribution in all of his last five games whether he started or was a substitute. Diogo Jota should start on the left wing.
