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‘Thiago Alcantara time’
Ian Doyle: Do you know what time it is?
Yes, it’s time for Thiago Alcantara!
With a few more training sessions under his belt, the midfielder may be launched for his first start in more than two months when Liverpool are in Southampton tonight.
And that will mean all kinds of jiggery-pokery in midfield.
Gini Wijnaldum may return to join Thiago, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turns it into an entirely new engine room.
But where, you may ask, is Jordan Henderson?
He went to center back alongside Fabinho, with Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams saved for the FA Cup game at Aston Villa on Friday.
Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold can continue as wingers as neither of them will (at least I) be asked to play at Villa Park.
Which leaves the three forwards. Which could be, well, the top three, at least for one more game.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Fabinho, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
‘Thiago joins Henderson and Wijnaldum’
Paul Gorst: The big decision, as it always happens these days, is who plays central?
Fabinho, obviously.
But then is it Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams?
It’s a choice Jurgen Klopp must make right tonight and for the next several weeks, given his recent comments about not entering the transfer market this month.
For me, I give it to Phillips, who survived a couple of shaky moments in Newcastle to play his part in a clean sheet.
The other big problem is starting Thiago Alcantara or not.
The Spanish midfielder has only completed 90 minutes once this season, but given how eye-catching his 20-minute cameo was in Newcastle, I’m going to get him involved.
We’ve waited long enough to see it in action regularly, haven’t we?
He joins Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum and the three forwards look familiar.
My team (4-3-3) : Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Firmino.
‘Thiago just has to start’
Joe Rimmer: This is shaping up to be a massive game for Liverpool after both Manchester clubs underscored their title credentials.
And that means that, with the FA Cup on the horizon, Liverpool need their big guns tonight.
In short, Thiago just has to get started.
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His presence seemed to cheer everyone up at Newcastle and the Spaniard can give the Reds that touch of class in what has at times seemed like a tired midfield.
Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson can play alongside him, and the pattern can trade later.
On defense, Nat Phillips equipped well against Newcastle, but Danny Ings’s move may require a more mobile option, so I’m going with Rhys Williams.
I would be tempted to refresh the three forwards, but I’m not entirely convinced to eliminate Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane for Takumi Minamino, so I’ll stick with that.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Williams, Fabinho, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Henderson; Salah, Mane, Firmino
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