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The 7-0 score was not the only thing that left Jurgen Klopp delighted at Crystal Palace.
While the emphatic and expressive manner of the victory was the key point, there were other aspects that will also please the Liverpool manager.
In defense, Joel Matip turned aside and made another successful performance alongside Fabinho.
The defender’s durability issues remain, but questions about his quality do not; the center-back has been one of the Reds’ best players this season.
In midfield, there was also the welcome sight of Naby Keita pulling the strings as he also took on a good chunk of defensive responsibility in South London.
Keita’s trials and tribulations at Anfield are well documented and the Guinea international seemingly stuck in the same cycle for the past two and a half years.
This, however, was a huge step forward in his last attempt to re-ignite.
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And there was more festive cheer that spread with the comeback of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
His first 15-minute cameo of the campaign gave an assist to Mohamed Salah, who finished the process with an impressive seventh.
And with an eight-day gap between games, Klopp has the kind of luxury he’s only been able to dream of so far this season.
The break gives him and his players a chance to fully prepare for West Brom’s visit on December 27th.
At a time when much of the division is knee-deep in holiday matches, Liverpool’s rare free time means they can really turn the screw at the top.
But what kind of team could we expect on Sunday at Anfield?
Alisson Becker will keep his place in goal and since Klopp was optimistic that his players would avoid blows at the Palace, the same four defenders are expected to come out as well.
Andy Robertson has been one of Liverpool’s most regular players this season, but with an injury to Kostas Tsimikas today, the Scotland captain will start.
Like Trent Alexander-Arnold on the other side and as long as Matip has no additional complaints this week, he and Fabinho will likely extend their partnership in the heart of the defense.
Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams wait in reserve if there is a problem to deal with in the center back.
It is in the center of the field where the great posers of the selection appear.
Gini Wijnaldum has been Liverpool’s iron man this season, missing just two matches in 23 this season, so could this be an ideal time to give him some extra time off?
Keita’s availability could give Klopp a chance to do just that, but given his implicit trust in the Dutchman, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Wijnaldum continue against the Baggies.
Curtis Jones is likely to be left in reserve after a very busy season thus far for the teenager.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, meanwhile, could be held back for another second-half cameo given that he has played just 15 minutes the entire season.
Thiago Alcantara is about to return to the team, but a bench spot is likely to be the pinnacle of his ambitions for this particular game after nearly two and a half months on the shelf.
At the top, given their impressive displays at Selhurst Park, and the fact that Diogo Jota is still out, expect Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to have a chance to add up their collective loot of 27 goals.
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