Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp must find four answers vs AC Milan

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Liverpool can’t win the Dubai Super Cup after losing to Lyon last Sunday, but the final friendly against AC Milan will still act as a chance for Jurgen Klopp to fine-tune a number of things. Express Sport looks at four areas in particular the Liverpool boss will want to focus on for today’s match.

Darwin Nunez back in the fold

Darwin Nunez is the only player who featured at the World Cup set to play some minutes against AC Milan having joined up with Liverpool’s squad last week. It was a tournament to forget for Nunez as he failed to find the net in all three of Uruguay’s group games as they were knocked out in dramatic circumstances.

The good news for Liverpool is that he returns without any injury worries and he’ll want to put things right when he returns to the pitch. He went into the World Cup in fine form having scored twice in the 3-1 win over Southampton last time out as well as finding the net three times in the Champions League.

And the game against Milan will be the perfect chance for him to pick up where he left off in a Liverpool shirt ahead of the season resuming. The 23-year-old will be key to Liverpool’s hopes of winning some silverware in the business end of the season and, like any striker, confidence will come with more goals.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain role

Liverpool fans got a rare glimpse of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in their friendly against Lyon last week. While he struggled to impose himself in the game, the best-case scenario was that he came through 45 minutes of action without picking up an injury issue.

When fully fit, Oxlade-Chamberlain is a quality squad player for Klopp to have at his disposal. And the game against Milan will be another chance for Oxlade-Chamberlain to build up his match sharpness as well as finding out where he best fits in this current Liverpool side.

Harvey Elliott fitness

One area Oxlade-Chamberlain may be needed in is the attacking-midfield role after Harvey Elliott’s injury scare against Lyon. It’s been reported that Elliott escaped any serious injury and his substitution was just a precaution.

But another injury setback will be the last thing Klopp needs and a decision will need to be made on whether it’s worth risking Elliott. Despite being just 19 years old, Elliott is already a key part of Klopp’s starting line-up and the Liverpool boss will want him primed and ready when the season resumes.

Salah form

While Nunez will be hoping to put the World Cup woes behind him, Mohamed Salah may also have a chip on his shoulder after Egypt missed out on the tournament altogether. Liverpool should be the main beneficiaries with Salah basically having a long break to regroup ahead of the hectic winter schedule.

The 30-year-old has come under some scrutiny for not matching his extremely high levels of previous seasons, scoring six goals in 14 league matches so far. But he looked ready to go against Lyon – despite his missed penalty – and the friendly against Milan will be a chance for the Egyptian to build up some scoring form before the season starts back up again next week.

Source: Read Full Article