How Liverpool could line up against Nottingham Forest

The Reds went wild in a 6-1 win over Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday, where Luis Diaz made his first appearance since October after recovering from a knee injury.

With Diaz back in the squad, Klopp’s only known absentees are Calvin Ramsay (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (adductors) and Naby Keita (muscle), who is likely to miss the rest of the season with his teammates.

With Diaz now back in the squad, Klopp is blessed with the best selection dilemma possible in attack as Darwin Nunez attempts to force his return after being taken off the bench at Elland Road.

However, with two goals and an assist to his name on Monday, Diogo Jota has certainly done enough to warrant another start alongside Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, the latter looking to score for a sixth consecutive game at home.

Klopp’s faith in Curtis Jones against Leeds was justified as the Englishman put down Jota’s first set, so Thiago Alcantara could return in a replacement role as Jones continues alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.

Trent Alexander-Arnold thrives in a hybrid midfield role, dishing up 50 Premier League assists on Monday aged 24 years and 192 days – only Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas have earned half-centuries at a young age – and will keep his place in right midfield as Andrew Robertson bombards left.

Ibrahima Konate was responsible for saving Luis Sinisterra for Leeds earlier this week, but the Frenchman and Virgil van Dijk will protect Alisson Becker as always.

Also.. 

‘We can really use that’ – Fabinho welcomes Trent Alexander-Arnold change of position

Brazilian duo Alisson and Fabinho have hailed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recent performances in a more advanced role for Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold has enjoyed greater positional freedom in the Reds’ last two games against Arsenal and Leeds, where he has played a hybrid role at both right-back and defensive midfield.

The transition hasn’t gone unnoticed by his peers and Fabinho is full of praise for how the 24-year-old has done the job.

“Trent is someone who is really good with the ball, with his quality of passing and finding players at the back. We can really use him,” Fabinho told the club’s official website. “Obviously in this position he will have less time to think, but I think he is a bit used to being in this position.

“In the last game he gave two assists and was really good – not only with his passing but also with his reaction.”

Fabinho’s compatriot Alisson also praised the performances, focusing more on the excellent defensive work done by Alexander-Arnold when the team were without the ball.

“That game [against Leeds] was a very good example of [defensive work] – the way we react,” Liverpool No.1 said.

“Not just Trent coming out of midfield and then going to the side, but other players who know we have a good reaction to counter-pressure or that we have to get back to their position to save time.

Fans have had a fascinating few weeks getting used to Alexander-Arnold spending more time in the middle of the park, but it certainly seems like a change his teammates will appreciate.

Questions remain as to whether this is likely to become a more permanent move or if some sort of crossover will continue for the time being, with Jurgen Klopp having said ‘the training suits us’.

The 24-year-old has registered three assists in games for Arsenal and Leeds, having provided just two in the entire Premier League campaign. The new formation clearly seems to allow Alexander-Arnold to express his creativity and could be a real weapon for the Reds in the future.