Liverpool lineup for Burnley – Fabinho new role as Roberto Firmino decision is made

‘Nat Phillips is here as Liverpool get back to basics’

Paul Gorst: Jurgen Klopp insists he won’t change what has taken Liverpool so far, but maybe it’s time to get back to basics?

If ever there is a game for Nat Phillips, this is it.

Burnley is likely to go long and fast in his attacking attempts, so the defender’s aerial prowess will be needed alongside a returning Joel Matip.

This means Fabinho can be restored to his rightful position as a defensive midfielder alongside Thiago Alcantara, who was the peerless player against Manchester United.

But where to start from there? Is Jordan Henderson also returning to midfield? Or does Gini Wijnaldum keep his place in the engine room?

Or, does Xherdan Shaqiri retain his place for a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation?

Since the Reds will be asked to break down one of the lower blocks, then this is a game for Shaqiri.

The Swiss were decent on their first Premier League start in 13 months before inevitably tiring in the second half.

At the top, Roberto Firmino just keeps his place alongside Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Matip, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho; Shaqiri, Salah, Mane; Firmino.

“ A forward switch is needed to maintain the title challenge ”

Ian Doyle: Firstly, if Liverpool don’t win tonight, they can forget about defending the Premier League title.

Considering that we’ll only get to half the season, that seems pretty pointless.

But with the Reds facing some incredibly tough games over the next few weeks, and Manchester City looking ominous, a five-game winless streak would surely ring the curtains.

So, with that in mind, what do you think of the team?

Joel Matip is back. And I’m going to do something different – actually playing two center-backs.

Nat Phillips can come alongside the Cameroonian to ward off Burnley’s set pieces. The rest of the defense is business as usual.

This means Fabinho and Jordan Henderson can enter midfield, where they join Thiago Alcantara, who can play a bit further upstream.

Above, Roberto Firmino is on the bench. Takumi Minamino enters on the left, with Sadio Mane in the middle. Burnley won’t expect it.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Minamino.

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“ Mohamed Salah central is the fastest way to the goals ”

Sean Bradbury: Liverpool need to find goals. Quickly.

Perhaps the quickest route for them is to replace Roberto Firmino at the moment.

Many chances have fallen to him recently as the Reds build more in the central areas via Thiago. Considering the overall reduction in pressing across the league, the Brazilian’s greatest strength has also been somewhat blunted.

So, let’s get a more predatory finisher in this environment: Mohamed Salah.

Sadio Mane stays on the left and Xherdan Shaqiri lines up on the right.

In midfield, Thiago takes a step forward with Jordan Henderson by his side and Gini Wijnaldum in the deeper role.

Alisson is of course in goal, with Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold wide.

At center-back, I hope Joel Matip is ready to team up with Fabinho. But if not, comes Nat Phillips.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Thiago; Shaqiri, Salah, Mane.

“ Curtis Jones begins with faith in front of the top three ”

Chris Beesley: Jurgen Klopp’s confirmation that Joel Matip has returned to full training should hopefully mean he can come back to the side against Burnley and that Liverpool won’t have to pick two central midfielders in the heart of their defense.

Matip’s recall will allow Captain Jordan Henderson to return to the center of the park at Xherdan Shaqiri’s expense.

To compensate for the lack of flair that the omission of the Switzerland international would bring, I would also make another change in the engine room by giving Gini Wijnaldum a break and staying in homegrown hero Curtis Jones, who can providing additional creative force behind Liverpool. The top three are usually prolific who, along with their teammates, have failed to find the net in their last three Premier League games.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Matip, Fabinho; Henderson, Thiago, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane.