MY ACCOUNT
Predicting Liverpool’s front three for recent games has been no mean feat — yet results have been as reliable as ever.
Jurgen Klopp opted for the forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz against Norwich last time out, with all three getting on the scoresheet.
Furthermore, injuries to both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino mean the German coach will almost certainly end his recent rotation habits against Leeds this evening.
Could this be the moment that the Anfield boss finally settles on a first-choice attack?
Chopping and changing
Remarkably, the Reds’ comeback win against the Canaries saw Klopp name a new combination in his attacking slots for the 10th game running in all competitions.
Not since the away trips at Leicester and Chelsea either side of New Year’s Day has the 54-year-old tactician started the same front three.
The absence of Salah and Mane due to the Africa Cup of Nations saw Jota and Firmino shoulder the bulk of the responsibility in late January and early February.
For the final spot, Klopp distributed opportunities evenly. Young Kaide Gordon lined up against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, before the experienced Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played — and scored — against Crystal Palace.
Takumi Minamino’s chance came against Cardiff in the FA Cup, also scoring, while new signing Diaz was handed his first start four days later against Leicester.
Since then however, the two main men have returned — leaving the rest of the squad to fight for one spot.
Salah and Mane have been joined from the start by Firmino against Burnley, Jota against Inter Milan and Diaz against Norwich.
Wealth of options
Of course, most of those selections were made a little easier for Klopp thanks to limited availability.
While the likes of Gordon, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Minamino do not expect to be regulars, the other five players mentioned would all fancy their chances of a starting berth when fit.
The traditional trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino — who netted 46 of their side’s 85 goals en route to a famous Premier League title in 2019-20 — were at one stage virtually undroppable.
But the seismic impact of Diogo Jota’s arrival has quickly changed that landscape.
The Portuguese ace, 25, has netted 30 goals in 62 games since trading Molineux for Anfield and has been trusted by Klopp to start most of Liverpool’s biggest games this term.
Meanwhile, it is unlikely that the £37.5million arrival of Diaz from Porto was facilitated to bulk up the bench.
Enforced continuity
In the coming weeks, it seems certain that Klopp will have to make some tough calls — but not just yet.
Injuries picked up against Inter will see both Firmino and Jota miss this evening’s outing, with their fitness also in the balance ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with Chelsea.
Asked on the pair’s condition in yesterday’s pre-match news conference, Klopp said: “For tomorrow, no chance. Then we will see.
“It would be easy to say ‘no’ now, but we will see. They were not on the pitch for training, which is not a good sign.”
That update should give Salah, Mane and Diaz confidence that an impressive performance against Leeds could secure them a start at Wembley.
High potential
Though Liverpool did not have things all their own way against Norwich, the signs going forward were extremely promising.
Their 29 shots in the contest represented over a 50% rise on their season average of 19, while six big chances created shows the afternoon could have been much more straightforward with a more clinical edge present.
The dynamic nature of Salah, Mane and Diaz is also reflected in the underlying numbers.
As a team, Liverpool attempted 30 take-ons, completing 18 of them. For context, their seasonal average has been 16 attempted per game with only nine completed.
Meanwhile, if Mane’s acrobatic effort and Salah’s composed finish had a familiar look to them, then Reds fans will hope Diaz’s third becomes a regular sight too.
Making a piercing run through the Canaries’ defence, the Colombian’s stunning turn of speed was matched by a composed dink over the onrushing Angus Gunn.
Taking their chance
Even without injuries, Mane and Salah look assured of starting berths — and now Diaz has the chance to make his case.
Post-Norwich, Klopp waxed lyrical about his new man, saying: “We saw now two games where Diaz played and he was absolutely incredible.
“Today was a tricky one but staying on the game shows his real quality. He is an outstanding talent.”
To earn more minutes than both Jota and Firmino, the new arrival is going to have to show a work-rate to match his unquestionable talent.
Ultimately though, goals and assists will be his route to regular football at Anfield — starting with tonight’s Leeds clash.
