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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Charlotte Coates

Jurgen Klopp faces Roberto Firmino and Naby Keita dilemmas as Liverpool midfield questions emerge

It's not been the best start to the new season by Liverpool and the pitchforks are out already - with cries for players to be dropped and new signings to be made.

The draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night at Anfield has made it back-to-back games now where Liverpool have failed to take all three points. They have fallen behind on both occasions.

Liverpool have scored three goals and conceded three goals in their opening two matches against opposition they should be beating pretty comfortably. So what should Jurgen Klopp do when the Reds take on rivals Manchester United in their next match at Old Trafford?

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The main concern for the Reds going into Monday's match is who will play in the forward three alongside Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz?

Here is how all areas of Liverpool's side are shaping up ahead of that clash at Old Trafford.

Defence

Klopp shocked everyone with the surprise inclusion of Nat Phillips alongside Virgil van Dijk for the draw against Palace. Joe Gomez was reported to have picked up a knock in training and could only be brought on off of the bench in the second half.

Joel Matip is going to miss the next couple of weeks due to an injury and there is no return date for Ibrahima Konate as things stand. Gomez's showing from the bench was enough to earn him a starting spot in place of Phillips at Old Trafford.

Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't in the best of form, but he will retain his place as will Andy Robertson. Kostas Tsimikas is an option from the bench, though.

Midfield

This has been the talk of the summer for everyone concerned with Liverpool. Will they or won't they sign a new midfielder? Now, those cries are even louder with Thiago Alcantara picking up an injury and Jordan Henderson only being fit enough for the bench against Palace.

Fabinho is one of the most important players in this Liverpool side, but his performances have been far from good enough this season and this is a problem for Klopp. Does Henderson start as a six in his place?

Harvey Elliott was excellent in the middle for the Reds and he should keep his place against United. Naby Keita, who didn't come off the bench on Monday, may be in line for his first appearance of the new season in place of James Milner.

Attack

Now, there's problems for Klopp in deciding who starts in his Liverpool attack.

Salah and Diaz are almost certainties to start - barring any injuries picked up in training - but who starts beside them? Diogo Jota is out injured with a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season while Darwin Nunez's red card has ruled him out for the next three matches.

Roberto Firmino started the first game of the season at Fulham, but wasn't fit enough for a place in the squad on Monday night against Palace due to an injury precaution.

Klopp said at the end of the Palace match that Firmino could be back for the United match and this will almost guarantee him a start in his favoured false nine role.

Liverpool need Firmino to start producing the type of magic everyone knows he is capable of.

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