Liverpool squad news against Leeds as Jurgen Klopp reintroduces key stars to end barren streak

Liverpool are likely to make changes to Arsenal’s tie as Jurgen Klopp are desperate for a win at Leeds on Monday.

Liverpool travel to Elland Road on Monday to face relegation-threatened Leeds United as they look to end their five-game winless run. Express Sport brings you the latest news on Jurgen Klopp’s squad and how he can line up for a big night in West Yorkshire.

Goalkeeper – Alisson

In his press conference on Friday, Klopp revealed that Alisson had missed two days of training during the week.

However, the Brazilian stopper trained on his own earlier in the day and is expected to perform at Elland Road. Defense – Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson

Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a first half against Arsenal before showing the attacking qualities that make him so valuable.

He was due to start at right-back with Andrew Robertson on the opposite flank, fresh off ‘Ellbowgate’ after a brief investigation into the incident.

Klopp mentioned that Konate also missed two days of training on Friday but hoped he would return to the pitch with Alisson later today.

The Frenchman is set to be awarded the contract alongside Virgil van Dijk, who is looking to respond to his much-criticized performance against Arsenal with a solid performance.

Midfielder – Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago

Stefan Bajcetic remains alongside Calvin Ramsay as the Liverpool star who will miss the rest of the season. Naby Keita is also at fault after missing the Reds’ last three games.

But Klopp has confirmed that Thiago, who came off the bench against Arsenal, will fight for the trip to Leeds.

He could join Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in the German midfield.

Attack – Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Mohamed Salah kicked off Liverpool’s comeback in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners and is expected to keep his place.

Darwin Nunez will have been disappointed to be on the bench last time out but could replace Diogo Jota on the left wing after another stunning performance. Cody Gakpo is expected to remain the Reds striker.

Klopp has confirmed that Luis Diaz is ready to sit among the substitutes as he is close to getting back to full fitness after a long spell on the sidelines.

Attack – Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Mohamed Salah kicked off Liverpool’s comeback in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners and is expected to keep his place.

Darwin Nunez will have been disappointed to be on the bench last time out but could replace Diogo Jota on the left wing after another stunning performance.

Cody Gakpo is expected to remain the Reds striker. Klopp has confirmed that Luis Diaz is ready to sit among the substitutes as he is close to getting back to full fitness after a long spell on the sidelines.

Also…

Jürgen Klopp said to move Liverpool ‘special’ player as Thomas Tuchel breaks Sadio Mane’s silence

Jürgen Klop1p could use a Liverpool player outside his best position and has been asked to make a substitution. Thomas Tuchel addressed the Sadio Mane situation.

Liverpool will have to wait all weekend before returning to action, with Monday night’s match against Leeds United scheduled. There has been no shortage of potential enhancements so far, with points dropped against Newcastle and Spurs, but Jürgen Klopp will be happy to mark a milestone with a result of his own.

Despite all the promise of Arsenal’s performance and the alleviation of a difficult run of matches, the three successive matches after the international break yielded just two points. It has seen Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League dwindle considerably as Klopp now plays effectively for pride and potential places in Europe’s lower tiers.

This could see the manager continue to experiment with his line-up, as he did with a new role for Trent Alexander-Arnold against Arsenal. But he is another star in the Liverpool squad who a former player says needs to move to a new position to unlock his ‘special’ potential.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool man Sadio Mané has grabbed the headlines after a recent altercation with Bayern Munich team-mate Leroy Sané. After a provisional suspension was confirmed by the club, coach Thomas Tuchel has now taken matters into his own hands. Here are two Liverpool.com stories you can’t miss.

Klopp said he had to change position

Position changes are the talk of the town at Liverpool right now, with Klopp finally bowing to pressure to experiment with the Alexander-Arnold role. But his insistence on him at right-back so far is far from the only controversial tactical decision he’s made.

When Darwin Núñez first moved to the left, most thought it was an injury induced deal, and the arrival of left winger Cody Gakpo in January seemed to put an end to that. But against all odds, Klopp has decided to keep his transfer-record striker potential out and retrain his latest recruit in a largely undiscovered role of Roberto Firmino. Núñez was able to exert some influence from the left and Gakpo showed signs of promise through the centre. But Danny Murphy thinks the Uruguayan in particular shouldn’t shine in his current role.

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Tuchel supports Mane

If Tuchel was hoping for his new role as manager of Bayern Munich, he’s out of luck. As well as being in the midst of a fierce title fight with Borussia Dortmund and on the verge of a daunting Champions League draw with Manchester City, he now he has been dealing with the aftermath of some Mane drama.

As if the cathartic 3-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s men in the first leg wasn’t bad enough, Mane and Leroy Sane then argued on the pitch, which apparently ended in a physical altercation in the dressing room. The former Liverpool player has since been suspended by FC Bayern Munich.

But Tuchel publicly supported Mané in his first comment on the incident, describing himself as his “first lawyer and first defender”. With suggestions that a transfer could even be sought this summer, the Senegalese star is sure to welcome such support.