A COVID-19 crisis at Anfield just ahead of the game on Thursday night forces Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones out of the Newcastle United clash.
Jurgen Klopp has to make a late call on his team selection for the game against the Magpies who sit at the bottom end of the league standings.
Konate comes into the XI with Van Dijk’s absent
The sidelining of Virgil van Dijk allows summer signing Ibrahima Konate to earn a recall into the starting XI for the home side with the latter slotting in at the centre-back role.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Matip and Andy Robertson keep their places at the back from the win over Aston Villa last time around in league action.
Fabinho replaced by Chamberlain in midfield
Fabinho too is an absentee for Jurgen Klopp’s men and replacing the Brazil international in the centre of the park is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
In the final third, there is a return to the starting role for Diogo Jota who partners Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Roberto Firmino makes his way back into the squad to feature on the bench.
Here is how both teams line up for today’s Premier League fixture:
Liverpool FC XI
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🔴
How we line up for tonight’s meeting with @NUFC in the @PremierLeague:
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 16, 2021
Aston Villa FC XI
🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠-𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
HWTL! ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/sJKxGzld1I
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 16, 2021
