Injury boost as Klopp makes 2 key change | Expected Liverpool line-up vs Southampton

Liverpool will be looking to climb back to the top of the table with a win over Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Friday night. Here is the team we think Jurgen Klopp will select:

Goalkeeper: There isn’t much to discuss over who’ll start in goal for Liverpool as Alisson Becker is certain to retain his place ahead of Simon Mignolet between the sticks.

Defence: Liverpool have been handed a major boost as Virgil van Dijk is expected to be fit to face his former side. The Dutchman sparked fears he may be set for a spell on the sidelines after limping through the final minutes of the win over Tottenham having taken a kick to his ankle.

However, van Dijk has trained this week so he’s expected to line-up alongside Joel Matip at St Mary’s. Dejan Lovren will therefore have to settle for a place on the bench while this game could come too soon for Joe Gomez – who’s back in full training after 15 weeks on the sidelines.

Trent Alexander-Arnold came through the win over Tottenham unscathed last weekend so he should once again start at right-back while Andrew Robertson will continue on the opposite side of the back four.

Midfield: Naby Keita is pushing for a recall after being named on the bench against Spurs and the Guinean international could come in for James Milner. Fabinho is also expected to come back into the side after being left out last weekend.

Georginio Wijnaldum has been a firm favourite under Klopp this season so he could keep his place in the midfield three meaning Jordan Henderson will drop to the bench. Adam Lallana has been getting some game-time recently but I expect him to be a substitute against his former side on Friday.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been working his way back to full match fitness having returned to full training in recent weeks but the midfielder isn’t expected to be involved against Southampton.

Attack: Liverpool desperately need a win over the South Coast club in order to return to the top of the table so Klopp is highly unlikely to take any chances with his line-up.

Therefore, I expect we’ll see a familiar front three with Roberto Firmino once again leading the line up front after scoring the opening goal against Tottenham last Sunday afternoon.

Mohamed Salah will obviously retain his place in the attack while Sadio Mane will be looking to continue his excellent recent form against the Saints so the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi will have to settle for places on the bench.

Here is how I think Liverpool will line up: