In a major reshuffle for the Reds’ trip to fellow Merseyside rivals Everton, Jurgen Klopp awards a first start to summer signing Thiago Alcantara, who makes a comeback to the first-team action following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
The Spaniard has played only one game so far in the Liverpool FC shirt, the 2-0 victory over Chelsea last month, and his debut start for Jurgen Klopp’s side has been much awaited by the club’s fanbase.
A number of other regulars are drafted in the starting XI, with the trio of Jordan Henderson, Joel Matip, and Sadio Mane, all previous long-term injury absentees, will be taking the pitch at Goodison Park on a Saturday afternoon for the much-looked forward to derby day special.
Matip’s inclusion in the XI comes at the expense of the out-of-form Joe Gomez, who endured a horrid showing against Aston Villa prior to the international break, and was a part of the Liverpool FC backline that shipped seven goals against Dean Smith’s men.
Gini Wijnaldum drops down to the bench as well to make away for skipper Henderson, the latter making a return to club football for the first time since the Chelsea game at Stamford Bridge in September.
Here are how both the teams line up for the upcoming clash:
Everton FC XI
🔵 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
▫️ Allan and @aftgomes return to the starting XI.
▫️ Deadline Day duo Robin Olsen and @BenG0dfrey feature on the bench. #COYB 🔵 #EFC pic.twitter.com/c0P9ENxj4L— Everton (@Everton) October 17, 2020
Liverpool FC XI
🔴 TEAM NEWS 🔵
How we line up for the derby 👊 #EVELIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 17, 2020
