Jurgen Klopp faces difficult Luis Diaz decision as…

Jurgen Klopp faces difficult Luis Diaz decision as Liverpool ponder formation change

Liverpool suffered another dismal low of an increasingly rollercoaster campaign with a dreadful Premier League defeat at Manchester City.

The Reds took an early lead through Mohamed Salah only to capitulate to a 4-1 reverse at the home of the champions. Liverpool will now look to avoid a fourth successive loss when they travel to similarly-struggling Chelsea on Tuesday.

And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action.

Defensive doubt

There are tough calls to make throughout the Liverpool team, so poor was their performance in the second half at the weekend.

One player spared criticism was goalkeeper Alisson Becker, despite leaking four times. He remains first choice between the sticks ahead of Caomhin Kelleher and Adrian.

Elsewhere, though, places could be up for grabs. Andy Robertson was well below his best with Kostas Tsimikas having replaced him before full-time at left-back, while Trent Alexander-Arnold had a tough afternoon. Both Joe Gomez and James Milner are alternatives at right-back.

Centre-back, too, could see changes, with neither Ibrahima Konate nor Virgil van Dijk covering themselves in glory at the Etihad. Gomez and Joel Matip were on the bench, with Nat Phillips also available. Rhys Williams has been struggling with a minor problem.

Middle question

Liverpool are hampered somewhat by a lack of availability in midfield, with Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita out and Stefan Bajcetic missing for the rest of the season.

Jordan Henderson and Fabinho played at the base of a two in the engine room at the weekend, but at least one could be rotated if Klopp reverts to a 4-3-3, with Harvey Elliott - who was on the right at City - moving inside.

Both Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came off the bench although Arthur Melo remained unused while Curtis Jones hasn't made the squad for five of the last six Premier League games.

Diaz dilemma

The question for Liverpool up front is whether to accelerate the return of Luis Diaz, who Klopp last week intimated would perhaps be ready for bench duty against Arsenal next Sunday.

If not, the other decision is whether to revert to a regular three up front with Darwin Nunez expected to be fully fit after his cut ankle. That would mean Mohamed Salah moving back out to the right, and most likely Cody Gakpo and Roberto Firmino battling for a central role while Diogo Jota and Nunez complete for the left flank role.

There are alternatives, with Jota capable of spearheading the attack and either Firmino or Gakpo arriving from deep in a 4-2-3-1. Klopp has also utilised 4-4-2 at times this season, and much will depend on how best to cope with Chelsea's expected three-man defence. Fabio Carvalho, who wasn't in the squad at City, is a more unlikely selection.

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