Ian Doyle - Put the full team out
Almost six weeks until Liverpool play again after today, so why not just put their strongest team out? And that's exactly what I expect Jurgen Klopp to do for the Premier League visit of Southampton.
It actually means the Reds are probably only one player short of naming what many would regard a full-choice team for the moment, although that midfield remains open to question.
Alisson Becker is in goal. That's not up for debate. In fact, the team shows a full 11 changes from the midweek Carabao Cup win over Derby County, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson the full-backs and Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Four of those five are going to the World Cup.
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So too is Fabinho, who can anchor the midfield. Jordan Henderson is also heading for Qatar, but he can come off the bench here with Harvey Elliott providing younger legs alongside Thiago Alcantara.
Up top, Darwin Nunez - the final Liverpool representative busy from next week - can have another go on the left, with Roberto Firmino down the middle and Mohamed Salah on the right. Mind the new manager bounce, though.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Nunez.
Theo Squires - Team picks itself
After making 11 changes against Derby County, I’m fully expecting Jurgen Klopp to make wholesale changes once again as Liverpool take on Southampton in their final game before the World Cup break.
Alisson returns in goal with Ibrahima Konate partnering Virgil van Dijk ahead of him and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson on either flank. Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson makes up the midfield alongside Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara, with Harvey Elliott a little unfortunate to be left on the bench.
And it’s Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez in attack, with Klopp’s XI pretty much picking itself if we’re honest as all seven World Cup stars start.
Let’s just hope the Reds’ World Cup contingent get through the clash with the Saints injury-free and can be sent off to Qatar in style, while Thiago and Firmino look to show their respective national coaches the error of their ways after both being left out by Spain and Brazil respectively.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Nunez.
Tom Cavilla - Changes aplenty as Reds look to build on Spurs success
Liverpool will be looking to go out on a high in their final fixture before the World Cup, something that won't be lost on Jurgen Klopp.
After making 11 changes to his starting eleven for the midweek visit of Derby County, the Reds will look to assert their authority against Southampton by recalling first-choice options to the team.
It means Alisson Becker returns in goal after the penalty shootout heroics of Caoimhin Kelleher, with Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold starring in defence.
The midfield trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara are likely to be called upon in the centre of the pitch, displacing Academy talents Bobby Clark and Stefan Bajcetic. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also unlikely to retain his place.
In attack, Klopp will look to count on three players who have been in good form despite the struggles of the first-team during the current campaign. Indeed, prepare to see Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino leading the line at Anfield.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Nunez, Firmino, Salah.
Rich Garnett - Give Fabinho a rest
The Reds head into today's match knowing that only a win will do. It's one thing stewing on a defeat at the best of times but having to sit on one for six weeks is not something Jurgen Klopp will want to contemplate.
After putting in a dogged showing on Sunday at Tottenham, it's continuity for me. Alisson remains in goal, with a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson. Alexander-Arnold is on his way to Qatar next week, and Calvin Ramsay showed against Derby County that he is not quite ready to start in the Premier League when Liverpool's regular right-back is available.
In midfield, Fabinho and Henderson are World Cup selections, and with the Brazilian not exactly pulling up trees recently I'm giving him a rest and playing Henderson at the base of the engine room. The captain is flanked by stay-at-home Thiago and the youthful legs of Harvey Elliott.
Up top, Mo Salah will want to sign off in style before the break. He's joined by Darwin Nunez on the left and Roberto Firmino down the middle.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Thiago, Elliott, Salah, Firmino, Nunez
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