Liverpool predicted line-up vs Luton Town: eight changes made as £85m man lands start

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six games across all competitions and after their hard-fought midweek win over Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup. Their next challenge is Premier League new boys Luton Town, who have done well so far this season to get results against Wolves, Everton and Nottingham Forest.

The Reds are currently fourth in the table, breathing down the necks of Manchester City and Arsenal, and just three points behind leaders Tottenham Hotspur. While the aim this season will be to finish inside the top four, a shot at the title is definitely not off the cards for Liverpool as things currently stand.

As for Luton, their mission is rather different but comes with a similar level of pressure. The Hatters will be hoping to survive their first ever season in the Premier League and avoid being immediately relegated back down to the Championship. They are currently 18th in the table but just one point behind Bournemouth in the safety zone.

Liverpool team news

Jurgen Klopp continues to be without Andrew Robertson, who is recovering from surgery on his shoulder injury, so Kostas Tsimikas has been filling in at left-back. The Greece international could be one of the only players to return to the lineup who started against Bournemouth on Wednesday. Klopp opted to rest some key players against the Cherries, with Virgil van Dijk staying on the bench and Alisson being left out of the squad altogether.

Thiago, who is yet to make an appearance for the Reds this season, is recovering from the hip surgery he underwent at the end of last term. Fortunately, Liverpool’s summer recruitment has given them options in midfield and even chance to rotate during cup runs.

The front three also have been able to switch it up, especially during the absence of Luis Díaz. The Colombian has withdrawn from duties with Liverpool as concerns remain over the whereabouts of his father, following the recent harrowing kidnapping of both of his parents.

Darwin Núñez is really getting into his groove now and has notched seven goals and five assists across all competitions this season. Many feared he wouldn’t live up to his £85 million signing but all he needed was a little time.

While the Reds managed to edge a win in the Carabao Cup, it’s hard to see Klopp straying from his recent choice of lineups in the Premier League. The biggest debate will likely be choosing between Ibrahima Konaté and Joël Matip to partner van Dijk, but the former started against Everton and Forest, so he could get the nod. Overall, it’s going to be quite a change compared to the side that faced Bournemouth.

Liverpool predicted lineup

Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch; Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez.

Luton not to be underestimated

More often than not, the expectation at the start of a new season is that the newly promoted sides will be heavy favourites to go back down. The step up to England’s top flight is not for the faint-hearted, and as Luton had never competed in the Premier League before, many expected them to be relegated at the first instance. However, the Hatters have done well to hold their own in pretty tough fixtures.

Beating Everton — who have a massive point to prove by avoiding another relegation battle — was a big statement for Luton. They also drew 1-1 with Wolves and managed to limit top-of-the-table Spurs to just one goal in their loss at the start of the month.

Rob Edwards and his side will have definitely done their homework on Liverpool and their style of play, so Luton will have a plan to shut out Klopp’s attack as best as possible. The Hatters are dealing with a tough series of injuries right now but they have done well to adapt despite their back-line taking the brunt of the impact.

Luton Town predicted lineup

Thomas Kaminski; Teden Mengi, Tom Lockyer, Gabriel Osho; Issa Kaboré, Marvelous Nakamba, Ross Barkley, Alfie Doughty; Jacob Brown, Chiedozie Ogbene, Carlton Morris.