When Trent Alexander-Arnold returns from injury, Jurgen Klopp must decide whether to start him right away when Liverpool visits Tottenham.
The Reds’ match against Ange Postecoglou’s undefeated Spurs at their home stadium on Saturday night will likely be their toughest test to date.
Only four teams in the Premier League under the Australian manager have never lost, but Liverpool are also a part of that group and are placed above Tottenham in second place.
Klopp is anticipated to rotate once more after four straight 3-1 wins, including a comeback at Leicester in the League Cup in the middle of the week.
Alexander-Arnold is back in the gym and “looks like he can be in the squad”
But Stefan Bajcetic (calf) has had a “little setback” and “have to take him out.”
Conor Bradley (back) and Thiago (hip) are both “still out”
The League Cup match against Leicester was deemed “too early” for Liverpool’s vice-captain to return after missing three games with a hamstring injury, but Klopp said on Friday that he “can be in the squad.”
However, with the in-form Joe Gomez a better bet at right-back, it is doubtful that he will be one of the 10 changes to the lineup that are set to occur at the weekend.
Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson make up the back four with Alisson behind them.
The only player still playing is Curtis Jones, followed by Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez’s preferred assault is now available.
After a full week of practice, Klopp might still start Alexander-Arnold, but there are also other choices.
Konate, who played 90 minutes against Leicester, might need to be rested by the manager, and Joel Matip could fill in at center defense.
There is a case to be made, though, that Jones should be replaced by Ryan Gravenberch because he was the only player to start the victories over West Ham and Leicester in a span of four days.
Darwin Nunez is yet to start a Premier League away game this season, despite the fact that it may not be a popular choice.
The fact that it is an away game against what may be the Reds’ toughest opponent yet may make it more difficult to forecast Klopp’s starting team.
However, Liverpool would still be expected to deploy their greatest team possible and give it their all in an effort to open the league season with a sixth victory in a row.
