For the second weekend in a row, Liverpool overcame a deficit to defeat Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Reds won 2-1 despite having 10 men after Virgil van Dijk’s early dismissal thanks to a late brace from replacement Darwin Nunez that cancelled out an early goal from Anthony Gordon.
Now, Liverpool will look to build on their strong start to the season when they host Aston Villa the following Sunday.
Here, we take a look at the potential adjustments Jurgen Klopp might make before his team’s upcoming game.
Reservations in the center
With Van Dijk suspended and Ibrahima Konate doubtful due to the muscular issue that prevented him from participating, Liverpool are very certainly going to be without their starting center-back partnership.
Joe Gomez and Joel Matip made their debuts on Tyneside, and Jarrell Quansah made his first appearance on the bench. Before the deadline for transfers on Friday, Nat Phillips might leave.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will probably stay at right-back since Conor Bradley is injured and Gomez is required elsewhere. At left-back, Andy Robertson continues to play better than Kostas Tsimikas thanks to his performance on Sunday, while Alisson Becker, who has Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian filling in for him, once again proved why he is the clear first-choice stopper.
On Tyneside, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip made their professional debuts, and Jarell Quansah made his debut as a substitute. Nat Phillips may go before the Friday transfer deadline.
With both Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones scheduled to rejoin full training this week—the former after a four-month absence and the latter after a few weeks—Liverpool will hope to have more options in the midfield.
After being on the bench last weekend against Bournemouth following his own protracted injury hiatus, Stefan Bajcetic has accrued more training time but is still waiting for his first playing chance.
Although defensive midfielder Wataru Endo made his debut and both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai significantly contributed to the victory, it appears the same midfield who started against Newcastle will likely hold their positions.
Cody Gakpo hasn’t exactly gotten off to a great start, but Harvey Elliott has once again proven his value with another spectacular cameo.
Perhaps the biggest selection issue for Klopp is whether to reward Nunez for his two goals with only a second start at the centre of the attack since February, with Gakpo and, more recently, Diogo Jota preferred in that position.
Luis Diaz, who scored in the first two games of the season, was sacrificed when Van Dijk was dismissed, and will come under pressure for his role from both Gakpo and Jota, the latter having hugely impressed from the bench at St James’ Park.
Mohamed Salah has spent large parts of the last two games playing up front in a 4-4-1 with Liverpool down to 10 men, but is first-choice on the right flank. Teenager Ben Doak was again on the bench at the weekend.
