- Liverpool could start Firmino, Mane against Stoke on Wednesday night
- Emre Can will return, but Dejan Lovren faces a late fitness test
- Klopp’s men will need to avoid another slip-up to avoid losing further ground on rivals
- READ MORE: ‘His ego is in overdrive’ – Jurgen Klopp slammed by pundit, makes big call on Liverpool
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp opted to make changes last time out against Chelsea, and he could be set to do it again for the trip to Stoke City.
Neither Sadio Mane nor Roberto Firmino started against the Blues at Anfield on Saturday, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge getting the nod up top instead.
However, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game in midweek, Klopp has dropped a big hint that he will likely bring Mane and Firmino back into his starting line-up.
Liverpool have now gone six games unbeaten in all competitions, but they know that they can ill-afford to drop more points in the Premier League as they look to keep in touch with their rivals battling for a top four finish.
Conceding goals has been their biggest problem, shipping 18 in 13 league games, giving them the worst defensive record of the top seven sides.
Emre Can’s return from injury will be key in helping add solidity to the team, with freelance injury analyst Ben Dinnery noting that the German international will be back in contention this week.
Meanwhile, the suggestion that Dejan Lovren could also return will likely result in a mixed response, as the Croatian centre-half has been guilty of some errors this season and could be forced to stay on the sidelines.
However, the possibility of seeing Mane and Firmino start will be a concern for Stoke, as they’ll have to plot a way of keeping them quiet as they certainly add quality and a clinical edge to Liverpool’s attack.
It adds a whole new dynamic to the attack, as that’s not even taking into consideration top goalscorer Mohamed Salah, who has been in inspired form since his summer move from Roma, bagging 15 goals already this season as he continues to lead the way for the Reds who will be hoping for more of the same.
Klopp hints Mane and Firmino are poised for a return tomorrow night. “It’s not completely unlikely they will start.” #LFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) November 28, 2017
Emre Can is fit for the trip to Stoke.
A late decision will be made on centre-back Dejan Lovren who is said to be ‘close’. #LFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) November 28, 2017