Ian Doyle - Formation is the big question for Jurgen Klopp
It seems like forever ago that Liverpool last played. And that's not exactly a bad thing given how the season has panned out.
Still, we must continue to get to the end. Which means a trip to Manchester City for today's early Premier League kick-off.
Jurgen Klopp's big decision is perhaps whether to go with two deep-lying midfielders or select three, as is his usual approach.
I was considering going with two, but have changed my mind and stuck with the tried-and-tested. That means Fabinho at the base of the engine room with Jordan Henderson to the left and Harvey Elliott to the right. It worked against Manchester United, after all.
In goal, Alisson Becker remains, with Trent Alexander-Arnold right-back, Andy Robertson on the other flank and Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.
And up top, it's Darwin Nunez left, Cody Gakpo central and Mohamed Salah on the right.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Henderson; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
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Theo Squires - Midfield that saw off Man United go again
After nearly three weeks without a match, Liverpool are back in action as they look to rid themselves of the horrid memory of those back-to-back defeats to AFC Bournemouth and Real Madrid, and get their top four challenge back on track.
The biggest dilemma awaiting Jurgen Klopp is arguably whether to stick with a midfield two or revert back to his favoured 4-3-3 formation. I would opt for the latter.
As a result, the back five picks itself. However, it’s slightly trickier in midfield with Thiago Alcantara still sidelined and Naby Keita now joining the Spaniard and Stefan Bajcetic on the injured list.
I’m picking the same trio that dismantled Manchester United so emphatically, with Harvey Elliott and Jordan Henderson either side of Fabinho.
Meanwhile, with Luis Diaz not yet fit to return, it’s also an unchanged front three despite Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo both being doubts during the international break. Having overcome that cut ankle and illness respectively, they start in attack alongside Mohamed Salah. Fingers crossed they can complete a second Manchester demolition job in quick succession.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
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Charlotte Coates - Four attackers start as Liverpool go for it
It seems like an age since we last watched Liverpool play in that terrible performance down on the south coast, but, here we are, back again full of hope and anticipation.
The international was a long and boring one, but we're down to the nitty gritty now. Liverpool really need to show some character if they are to seriously challenge for the top four.
Rivalries with Manchester City are renewed today and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping to put a serious dent in their title ambitions.
In goal Alisson Becker will start after his strange omission from the Brazil squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had a couple of weeks to rest and will start at right-back with Andy Roberton at left-back. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will be in the heart of the defence.
In midfield, Klopp could go with a two in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho sat in front of the backline.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah will make up the rest of a very attacking Liverpool side.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho; Jota, Gakpo, Salah; Nunez.
Rich Garnett - Darwin Nunez starts in hunt for goals
The international break has given Jurgen Klopp plenty of time to stew over the two Liverpool defeats that preceded it. How he could do with avoiding a third against Manchester City.
There is an argument that the Sky Blues' need for victory is greater than their opponents, not that you'll hear too many Liverpool supporters arguing that case, but in any case, it reaffirms just how big a task the Reds have on their hands here.
With Alisson Becker in goal, I'm selecting a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. The latter will still be buzzing after Scotland's brilliant 2-0 victory over Spain and Van Dijk has taken a bit of stick from former Dutch internationals, so he will be keen to put them in their place for sure.
Midfield has been a problem for most of the season, but current injuries make this selection a little more straightforward. A trio of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Harvey Elliott did the business in the 7-0 demolition of Manchester United and I'm all for harking back to the good old times today.
Up top, there are more options to choose from but with Diogo Jota still without a goal and Roberto Firmino in the last knockings of his Liverpool career, I'm going for Mohamed Salah on the right, Cody Gakpo down the middle and Darwin Nunez on the left. There are goals in that front line, Liverpool just need to ensure that they keep them out at the other end.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
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