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Liverpool face Manchester City at the top of the league despite conceding 15 goals in seven games so far.
However, despite that record and Virgil van Dijk’s absence due to a serious knee injury, it is Jurgen Klopp’s decision at the other end of the field that takes center stage ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
Summer signing Diogo Jota has had an incredibly impressive start to life at Anfield following his potential £ 45 million summer transfer from the Wolves.
And after scoring the winner in last weekend’s 2-1 win over West Ham, the Portuguese forward smashed Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.
23-year-old Jota scored a hat-trick in Bergamo when the Italians were put to the sword, and Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane also found the net.
Jota is averaging a goal every 71 minutes for the Reds, but the question for Klopp, as they prepare to renew relationships with their closest rivals in recent seasons, is whether that means he starts ahead of Roberto Firmino at the Etihad.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The Brazilian was just a substitute midweek and his place on the squad has been questioned, drawing Klopp’s ire on Friday.
“I don’t have to say a word about Bobby Firmino and how important he was to us, I don’t waste time on that.
“It was in so many games that he made the difference without scoring maybe, I’m not sure, but with scoring in other games as well, so I would be very embarrassed if I had to mention the qualities of Bobby Firmino now.
“I can’t help these people, I’m sorry. That’s how it is.”
Rhys Williams started midweek and impressed, with Nat Phillips having been man of the game against the Hammers last weekend.
But with Joel Matip in shape, neither center-back is ready to start in Manchester, with the former Schalke player set to join Joe Gomez at the heart of the baseline.
Liverpool’s planned starting eleventh: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gómez, Matip, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Mal, Firmino, Mane
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