Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may drop four stars for Ajax clash

Liverpool V Nottingham Forest In Pictures

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has several big selection decisions to make ahead of the trip to face Ajax on Wednesday evening. A humbling Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest has sent him back to the drawing board after a morale-boosting win over Manchester City, and Express Sport takes you through four players who could be axed from the starting XI…

Joe Gomez

Klopp was missing Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate against Forest. In their absence, Gomez hardly boosted his chances of moving up the pecking order with a wayward display that left Reds fans scratching their heads. 

The English centre-back committed numerous mistakes at the City Ground and gave away a free-kick that led to the game’s only goal. Matip remains on the sidelines but Konate could return for the trip to Amsterdam, which may see Gomez drop to the bench.

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Mohamed Salah

Big things were expected of the Egyptian against Forest, who have struggled on their return to the top flight. He didn’t deliver, remaining anonymous for much of the game as the Reds failed to slip into an attacking rhythm. 

Three goals in 11 Premier League games could prompt Klopp to change things around on Wednesday night, unless his European form swings the pendulum back his way. Last time out, Salah netted the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history in a 7-1 demolition of Rangers. 

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Fabinho

The defensive-minded midfield anchor had a tough time at the City Ground as he was frequently overrun by the Forest trio of Ryan Yates, Remo Freuler and Cheikhou Kouyate. Klopp’s defence certainly needed the extra protection with Virgil van Dijk far from his imperious best and none of his prospective partners hitting form. 

As such, Jordan Henderson could step in to screen the back line against Ajax after starting from the bench against Forest. With Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott potentially lining up either side of him, it could be a big night for the England midfielder if he is chosen to replace Fabinho. 

Roberto Firmino

The silky forward has been one of Liverpool’s best players this campaign with 12 goal contributions in his first 14 matches, but the sheer number of talented attackers at Klopp’s disposal means that nobody’s position is safe – particularly after a lacklustre display against Forest that saw him hauled off with a quarter of an hour to play.

Darwin Nunez is starting to come into his own in red and could take the Brazilian’s place in Amsterdam. 

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