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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle & Paul Gorst & Theo Squires & Hannah Pinnock

Liverpool line-ups for Arsenal as Mohamed Salah and Thiago decisions made

Give Luis Diaz a breather

Paul Gorst: So, this is a big one, isn't it?

In a weird, perverse sort of way, Manchester City's goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Monday has lessened the pressure on it being an absolute must-win fixture at Arsenal. But with that said, it'd be a major slap in the face if the Reds did not take full advantage of City's Selhurst stumble.

With Nottingham Forest to come in the FA Cup on Sunday, I imagine Liverpool will go as strong as possible in north London tonight. Joel Matip stays in defence, despite Ibrahima Konate's return, with the French defender kept in reserve for Cup duty alongside Joe Gomez.

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In midfield, it has to be Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson alongside Fabinho with Naby Keita held back in case he is needed in the second period. Up top, I'm going to give Luis Diaz a breather in favour of Diogo Jota given his six goals in as many games against Arsenal as a Liverpool player.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah, Jota, Mane.

Little harsh on Naby Keita

Ian Doyle: The biggest Premier League game of the season for Liverpool? Absolutely. And former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta will surely be desperate his Arsenal are the team to help send the title back in the direction of Manchester City.

What, then, is Jurgen Klopp to do? He has to go as strong as possible. Which begs the question of just what Liverpool's strongest line-up is right now.

In defence, it's not that difficult. Alisson Becker is in goal, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip the centre-backs, with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back and Andy Robertson left-back.

The midfield is where things become a little more tricky. But Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are in, and I'd bring Thiago Alcantara in from the start for this one, which is a little harsh on Naby Keita who has done well lately.

Up top, all depends on the fitness of Mohamed Salah. If he's okay, then it has to be Sadio Mane down the middle and Luis Diaz on the left. If not, then Roberto Firmino, who loves playing against Arsenal, can pop in down the centre and Mane goes to the right.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Salah/Firmino, Mane, Diaz.

If Salah's fit, Salah starts

Theo Squires: Liverpool travel to Arsenal on Wednesday night knowing if they win, the title race is in their hands. Able to move one point behind Manchester City, it's the Reds' game-in-hand ahead of next month's trip to the Etihad - and it's must-win.

As a result, Jurgen Klopp should select the starting XI he intended to face Chelsea in February's Carabao Cup final win before Thiago Alcantara's untimely injury, with the Spaniard coming into midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

The back five is as you were, while Mohamed Salah seemingly being declared available, despite limping off against Brighton and then missing training, makes picking the front three rather straightforward. If the Egyptian is fit to play, he's fit to start.

Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane start alongside him, with Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino reserved for bench duty ahead of being handed starts against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

A chance for Diogo Jota to step up

Hannah Pinnock: Arsenal are no easy task and I'm certainly more fearful than previous meetings given their incredible form of late. It's a must-win game in the title race and a huge chance to capitalise on a slip-up from rivals Manchester City.

That being said, with one eye on the rest of the season and ensuring everyone is fit and firing, Jurgen Klopp has some huge decisions to make. The midfield and defence picks itself, the likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho are all guaranteed starters. I'd like to see Thiago and Jordan Henderson play alongside the Brazilian in the centre.

Further forward is where it gets interesting, the Mohamed Salah/Sadio Mane/Luis Diaz combination is quickly becoming the strongest front three and, with the Egyptian making a swift recovery from the problem he picked up against Brighton at the weekend, it is tempting to start him.

But there's the question of whether it's worth risking him so soon, and for that reason I'd give Diogo Jota a chance to find some form after his recent struggles following an injury. Klopp has been ruthless with his substitutions this season and Salah will be a dangerous option to have from the bench, but it may be time to hand him a rest and ensure the rest of his season won't be impacted.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Diaz, Jota, Mane.

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