Liverpool return to Premier League action today looking to build on the momentum from Wednesday night’s excellent Champions League comeback against Atlético Madrid.
And for me, Andoni Iraola should resist the temptation to make too many changes.
There are still some fitness doubts, particularly around Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola, and with Liverpool having another game coming up on Tuesday, I wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks.
With that in mind, this is the team I’d like to see start against Fulham at Anfield:
Alisson
Ronald Araújo – Joe Gomez? – Virgil van Dijk – Milos Kerkez
Alexis Mac Allister – Dominik Szoboszlai
Florian Wirtz
Rio Ngumoha – Victor Muñoz
Alexander Isak
Barcola and Gakpo should be protected
I’m not expecting either Barcola or Gakpo to start.
Barcola is expected to be available after the cramp he suffered against Atlético, while Gakpo remains a bigger doubt after missing training with an adductor problem.
For me, there is absolutely no reason to gamble.
Barcola has only just arrived and is still building his match fitness, while Gakpo has been one of Liverpool’s most productive players at the beginning of the season.
If either is only 80 or 90 per cent, keep them on the bench.
There are enough attacking options available to Liverpool to put out a very strong side without them.
Araújo has to keep his place
One player who I absolutely want to see start again is Ronald Araújo.
The Uruguayan has been one of the biggest positives of Liverpool’s opening weeks and looked extremely comfortable at right-back against Atlético.
His defensive security gives Liverpool something slightly different, and with Jeremie Frimpong still adapting, Araújo deserves to keep his place.
I wouldn’t change something that is working.
Wirtz behind Isak
I’d also keep Florian Wirtz in the number 10 role.
The German has shown flashes of exactly why Liverpool paid so much to bring him to Anfield, and giving him another start alongside Isak should only help their understanding develop.
Isak is also beginning to look increasingly dangerous.
After his two goals against Ipswich, he’ll be desperate to add to his Premier League tally against Fulham.
And if Wirtz can find the space between Fulham’s midfield and defence, I can see him causing them plenty of problems.
My front three
With Gakpo and Barcola doubts, I’d go with Ngumoha, Wirtz and Muñoz behind Isak.
It’s a slightly different attacking combination, but it gives Iraola pace, movement and unpredictability.
Ngumoha deserves another opportunity after showing plenty of promise, while Muñoz has already demonstrated that he’s capable of making an impact when called upon.
Fulham are still looking for their first Premier League points of the season, while Liverpool have won their last two matches in all competitions.
This is a game Liverpool should be looking to control.
My Liverpool XI:
Alisson
Araújo – Jacquet – Van Dijk – Kerkez
Mac Allister – Szoboszlai
Ngumoha – Wirtz – Muñoz
Isak
I think that’s a very strong team even without Gakpo and Barcola.
And if Liverpool can get themselves into a comfortable position, that’s when I’d look to bring the likes of Gakpo and Barcola on rather than risk them from the start.
After the brilliant win over Atlético, this is about keeping the momentum going.
Three points today would make it three wins on the bounce — and suddenly Iraola’s Liverpool are really starting to look like a team.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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