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Liverpool finished 2020 atop the Premier League table, despite a road record of just two wins in eight games and draws in three of the last six.
One of those disappointing draws came against Newcastle on Wednesday night, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were unable to convert several wonderful chances thanks to Karl Darlow’s heroism in the Mapies goal.
The 0-0 draw leaves the Reds three points clear at the top, with Manchester United in second place with one game in hand.
The Premier League and world champions will now look forward to their away game against Southampton on January 3, in what will be their third match during the festive period.
And here we look at the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team is next in action.
Williams x Williams
Joel Matip is expected to be out for three weeks due to an adductor injury suffered during Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at home to West Bromwich Albion.
Rhys Williams, the 19-year-old, replaced Matip against the Baggies, while Nat Phillips was the favorite in Wednesday’s goalless draw at Newcastle United.
Both players have performed well, but one would expect Williams to join Fabinho at the heart of the defense against Southampton, given that Phillips was exposed at times at St James’ Park.
Jordan Henderson could do a job there, but Klopp is unlikely to want to take the captain out of midfield early on.
In the meantime, Neco Williams will almost certainly get a start in the next few games, pushing Trent Alexander-Arnold for his spot at St Mary’s Stadium, particularly given the fact that Alexander-Arnold looks like he might need a break to recharge. looking forward to next year.
Andy Robertson could continue as a left back, although the fit James Milner is another option after his solid display in center park against the Toon.
Thiago 90
Newcastle United saw the return of Thiago Alcántara and, in just 16 minutes, he made an incredible difference by stretching the home side and executing their uneven defense with his impressive range of passing and vision.
Southampton could be a game where the Spain star lines up early on to give Liverpool a much-needed injection of creativity in the engine room.
Gini Wijnaldum is also expected to start, given that he was rested for most of the game against Steve Bruce’s side, while Henderson will also continue to drive the team forward and complement the other two.
Thiago’s return also means that Klopp’s stock in the center of the park is well packaged once again, even if Naby Keita goes missing.
Curtis Jones, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all options, as is Milner, in case he doesn’t return to defense for cover.
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Taki or not Taki? That is the question
Liverpool had a small chance of attacking ideas against West Brom, but luckily for the Reds they improved against Newcastle and created a series of chances that would have ended up in the back of the net on a different day.
There was a question as to whether to play Takumi Minamino in Newcastle, after his great performance at Crystal Palace, but he stayed on the bench, so the idea that he could come in to help rotate the front line remains.
Klopp has the other option of asking the Japanese international to join the three regular forwards if Liverpool also employs a 4-2-3-1 approach with Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri and Divock Origi as other alternatives.
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