Ibrahima Konate and Jordan Henderson absences explained as Liverpool line-up confirmed

Joe Gomez will continue at centre-back in Liverpool’s last game ahead of the World Cup at home to Southampton in the Premier League this afternoon.

The Reds defender is the only player to retain his place from the starting line-up that eliminated Derby County on penalties from the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Gomez replaces Ibrahima Konate, who is suffering an minor injury, by partnering Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the backline in the one change from the side that began the league win at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

LIVE UPDATES: Follow every kick off Liverpool v Southampton in our commentary stream

READ MORE: FSG's clever move has ensured next Liverpool owner can spend millions on transfers

Konate, Jordan Henderson - who misses the game for personal reasons - Calvin Ramsay and Curtis Jones are all absent from the 20-man squad named by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who will serve a one-match touchline ban.

Alisson Becker returns in goal, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are at right-back and left-back respectively.

Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott make up the midfield, while Mohamed Salah is on the right on the forward line with Darwin Nunez likely to be on the left and Roberto Firmino down the middle.

Teenage winger Ben Doak, who made his debut from the bench against Derby and celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday, is among the substitutes, as is Stefan Bajcetic.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Nunez.

Subs: Kelleher, Adrian, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tsimikas, Carvalho, Bajcetic, Phillips, Doak.

READ NEXT:

• Liverpool may have been handed huge advantage for Man City clash in Carabao Cup

• Liverpool's ‘perfect midfielder’ left in tears after Barca rage and fan blame

• The names who may be interested in buying Liverpool after three parties 'ruled out'

• Jurgen Klopp provides Roberto Firmino Liverpool contract update as talks planned

• Jurgen Klopp sends message to potential Liverpool owners with blunt spending admission