The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Liverpool predicted line-up REVEALED! Plus injury update

Football

By Mirror | Jan 17, 2021

FILE: Manchester's Belgian midfielder Andreas Pereira (L) vies with Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara (R) during a friendly football match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester United in Munich, southern Germany, on August 5, 2018. [AFP PHOTO]

Thiago Alcantara is set to make his long-awaited home debut for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp is expected to name his strongest available line-up to face Manchester United.

All five of the midfielder's appearances for the Reds have come away from home and he missed much of the first half of the season with a serious knee injury.

Klopp compared Thiago to a "new signing" as he previewed the derby clash, saying: "To put the pressure a little bit off the situation I said we should sign Thiago in the window.

"Now he is here, let's hope he stays like this for a long, long, long, long time.

"The most important thing is he is fit and he trained. He had 90 and 45 minutes in the last two games.

Keep Reading

"We will see if he can play and which position he can play because there are different options.

"But it is really good to have him around now. He is a really good guy and an exceptional football player. It is like a new signing."

**December 6, 2020 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp with Trent Alexander-Arnold who comes on as a substitute** [ REUTERS]

Thiago is likely to feature in a central midfield trio alongside captain Jordan Henderson and stalwart Gini Wijnaldum.

The establish forward trident of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are expected to feature, while things are less clear-cut in defence.

In the midst of Liverpool's centre-back injury crisis, Klopp has turned to teenager Rhys Williams and even plugged the hole with Henderson during the defeat at Southampton.

The Reds boss hoped Joel Matip would be fit to face United after the Cameroonian returned to training on Friday.

But if Matip is not available, Nat Phillips could get the nod alongside Fabinho, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson in the back four.

Goalkeeper Alisson is one of the first names on the team sheet and was hailed as Liverpool's "most important player" ahead of the match.

Liverpool predicted starting XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.