As Liverpool eagerly anticipates the highly anticipated clash with Manchester City this Sunday, manager Jurgen Klopp faces a tantalizing dilemma regarding the inclusion of star player Mo Salah in the starting lineup, as doubts persist about the Egyptian’s readiness.
Heading into the weekend perched at the summit of the Premier League table, Liverpool is riding high on a wave of seven consecutive victories across various competitions, including a convincing 5-1 win over Sparta Prague in their recent outing. However, this upcoming showdown against Manchester City looms as arguably the most crucial match of the season thus far, with Pep Guardiola’s side poised to challenge for the top spot.
The last encounter between Liverpool and Manchester City ended in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium, marked by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s stunning equalizer. However, Klopp’s squad has been beset by injuries since then, adding complexity to his lineup decisions.
As Klopp weighs his options against their title rivals, two key uncertainties hang over the team: the fitness of Ibrahima Konate and Mo Salah’s availability for a starting role. Konate’s condition remains in limbo pending further evaluation, with hopes pinned on a favorable outcome from medical scans. In contrast, Salah’s return against Sparta Prague saw him play a mere 16 minutes, raising questions about his match fitness.
Should both players be deemed fit to start, Liverpool’s potential lineup may feature Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk in defense, supported by Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson on the flanks. In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai could partner with Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister, while Salah takes up his customary role on the right wing, with Luis Diaz on the opposite flank and Darwin Nunez leading the attacking line.
