“We put a proper shift in and that’s what I wanted,” said Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of Toulouse in Thursday’s Europa League clash.
The German coach will have been pleasantly surprised by a number of impressive individual performances against the Ligue 1 side, with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Darwin Nunez standing out in particular.
Having now won two on the trot, Klopp will have some interesting selection dilemmas ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest to Anfield this Sunday. The Reds welcome the Midlands club to Merseyside as they look to keep pace with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at the top of the table, with Liverpool entering a favourable run of fixtures.
With a victory essential, here is how Klopp could line up against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
GK: Alisson – The Brazilian was destined to start this weekend anyway, but a slightly iffy performance from Caoimhin Kelleher against Toulouse will have only made Klopp appreciate Alisson even more.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Played the deep-lying quarterback role on Thursday, spraying passes around midfield and laying on an assist for Wataru Endo’s first Liverpool goal. The full-back will be kept honest by Anthony Elanga in the defensive third but should produce a similarly composed performance on the ball against Forest.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – Lucky not to be suspended for this one having escaped a second yellow card against Everton. While undoubtedly a talented centre-back, the Frenchman perhaps need to be a little less aggressive in the challenge – a skill he could learn from his centre-back partner Virgil van Dijk.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Despite a comfortable victory against Toulouse, Liverpool still looked shaky at the back. Klopp will be pleased to welcome Van Dijk back into the team after a well-earned rest, hoping he can continue his strong form this season.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – Andy Robertson’s long-term injury means the ‘Greek Scouser’ is the first choice. Young Luke Chambers and Calum Scanlon were given a shot there midweek, but Tsimikas will return against Forest.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – Liverpool’s star performer alongside Mohamed Salah this season, producing decisive displays in almost every appearance. Nottingham Forest will need a special plan to nullify Szoboszlai’s significant threat.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – Despite Wataru Endo’s supreme performance midweek, Mac Allister is likely to return to the holding midfield role. The World Cup winner hasn’t looked entirely comfortable there in a Liverpool shirt and could be a man that Steve Cooper targets on Sunday.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Another goal and a player of the match display against Toulouse, surely Gravenberch will be handed a third straight start, especially given Curtis Jones’ suspension.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Managed a goal in the dying embers of the midweek match, making that five in three games after successive Premier League braces. The Egyptian is in electric form, which is awfully bad news for Forest’s backline.
ST: Darwin Nunez – The Uruguayan was at his chaotic, unpredictable best midweek. Powered home a fierce effort in the first half before beating a Toulouse defender, rounding the goalkeeper and slamming the post with an open goal gaping in the second. Luckily, Gravenberch gobbled up the rebound and spared Nunez‘s blushes.
LW: Luis Diaz – Liverpool’s other difference-maker against Everton, getting Ashley Young sent off and winning the crucial penalty against the Toffees. Perhaps needs to start adding a few more goals and assists to his game, but is still providing for the Reds.
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