25 February 2023 , 08:00
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Liverpool look to bounce back from their disastrous Champions League thumping by Real Madrid at Crystal Palace on Saturday with Jurgen Klopp having promised changes to his starting lineup.
The Reds’ hopes of European glory look all but over after a 5-2 defeat at Anfield by the reigning champions, and much has been made in the aftermath of the defeat about the rebuild facing Klopp this summer.
Discussing the prospect of a big rebuild at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Klopp, who last year signed a new deal to keep him on Merseyside until 2026, explained: "We know we have to change things and we will. We cannot do that now but it is already clear we have to do something in the summer. The way this club is led is not by splashing the money and having a look to see if it works out or not. Our transfers always have to be on point."
However, while his side have been struggling in the Premier League - they’re currently down in eighth position - they have won their last two, against Everton and Newcastle respectively, and the Kop boss is still looking for a top four finish to ensure a spot in Europe’s premier club competition again next term.
Palace, currently 12th, aren’t exactly the ideal opponents; of all the teams in the bottom half, they’ve lost least, losing only nine of their 23 games. But Patrick Vieira’s men also haven’t won in 2023, drawing four and losing three of their seven league outings since the turn of the year.
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Klopp hinted on Friday that he is set to rotate in south London, and while the game is set to come too soon for France international Ibrahima Konate, both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, having got minutes off the bench recently, could come into the starting lineup.
Ibrahima Konate isn't quite ready to return for the Reds (Getty Images)“Ibou is near but had two sessions with us after a long injury,” he said. “We can see when the boys come on that they are not at their best at the moment. We have the situation now with Bobby [Firmino] and Diogo [Jota]. But they need the minutes and will get better. That’s exactly the situation we have.
“We are not sure if all the boys could play again after Madrid because of some knocks here and there. We are really not 100 percent clear.
"We have to make changes and we want to, and we will make changes anyway, but it’s not that you come back after a long injury and it’s clicking again.”
Klopp admitted he would also like to offer Virgil van Dijk a rest at some stage, describing his situation as “not perfect” following his recent return from injury, but it is likely to be Joe Gomez, who endured a particularly miserable night in midweek - and was hooked in the second half - who makes way for Joel Matip at the heart of defence.
Harvey Elliott could get the nod to start in midfield if Stefan Bajcetic is rested, while Naby Keita or James Milner could also be recalled.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Jota.
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