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Liverpool saw their Premier League 100% home record end on a frustrating afternoon against West Bromwich Albion.
Sadio Mane’s early goal for the Reds was tied at the end by the visitors in a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Premier League and world champions now have a quick turnaround before heading to Newcastle United for their second game over the festive period.
And here we look at the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team is next in action.
A piece for Rhys?
Joel Matip is unlikely to be available as the Reds await the results of scans of a suspected adductor problem that forced him to retire over the weekend.
Rhys Williams replaced Matip in the hour and would appear to be Fabinho’s most likely partner in center back ahead of Nat Phillips.
Jordan Henderson could do a job there, but Klopp is unlikely to want to take the captain out of midfield early on.
Neco Williams will almost certainly start the next few games and push Trent Alexander-Arnold at St James’ Park.
Andy Robertson is expected to continue as left back, although the new James Milner is another option.
The Thiago question
This match has been marked as Thiago Alcantara’s long-awaited return to action after more than two months out with a knee problem.
If it’s from the bank, then Klopp at least has plenty of options in the engine room, even if Naby Keita fails again as anticipated.
Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones started against West Brom, but at least one is likely to be benched.
It means Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Xherdan Shaqiri and Milner are options, in addition to Thiago.
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Minamino calling
Liverpool seemed a bit short of ideas up front when they came full time against West Brom, and may be ready for a bigger rotation down the front line.
Takumi Minamino did well at Crystal Palace last week and had a good showing at Newcastle on the final day of last season.
And Klopp has the other option of asking the Japanese international to join the three regular forwards if Liverpool employs a 4-2-3-1 approach.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, and Divock Origi are other alternatives.
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