Liverpool are back in the saddle, albeit not very convincingly.
The Reds resumed their Premier League title campaign after more than three months out of action with an instantly forgettable goalless draw at Everton on Sunday night.
In a tight game, the Blues had the best result with Tom Davies hitting the post late after Alisson Becker had saved Dominic Calvert-Lewin well.
The stalemate, which brought Liverpool closer to their goal of winning the title for the first time in 30 years, was the first of nine games in 36 days for the European and world champions.
Jurgen Klopp will now consider his options after having rotated his squad significantly at Goodison.
And here we look forward to the changes the Reds boss could make when his side is in action at his home at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Defensive shake
Only two of the last five that started Liverpool’s last game three months ago were in XI against Everton.
There will be more rotation, with James Milner out with a hamstring problem and concerns about Joel Matip’s toe injury.
At least Klopp has two obvious options, with Andy Robertson set to go on the left side to replace Milner and Joe Gomez, who replaced his teammate before the break at Goodison, poised to replace Matip in the center of the winger.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are expected to continue in defense.
(Image: Peter Powell / Pool via Getty Images)
Keita’s question
Naby Keita was one of the few Liverpool players to show something of his best form on Sunday.
It was only his fifth start to the Premier League season, however, and having been hampered by various injuries this season, Klopp will surely walk cautiously as the schedule grows after the trip to Manchester City on Thursday week.
Gini Wijnaldum, a substitute for the second half, will be eager for the action, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who played for 45 minutes at Everton, could operate in a more central role.
Fabinho finished strong over the weekend and needs minutes to develop his sharpness, while Jordan Henderson seems like another likely starter.
Salah to return?
Despite Liverpool being allowed five substitutions, Mohamed Salah remained alongside Adrian, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams sitting in the stands throughout the weekend.
Salah had missed the friendly against Blackburn Rovers earlier this month and was also absent from several training sessions.
However, as with Robertson, Klopp is now ready to give the Egyptian a start, and Takumi Minamino is likely to fall to the bench.
Divock Origi was unable to provoke his cameo in the second half, Xherdan Shaqiri is injured while Oxlade-Chamberlain is another option on the right.
It may be too soon for Elliott or any of the other Liverpool youths to be considered to start the title that has yet to be secured.
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