LIVERPOOL: PREDICTED XI - TOTTENHAM (A)

Liverpool sit at the top of the table going into their highly anticipated matchup against Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. Following an international break and with one eye on the mouthwatering fixture against PSG at Anfield on the 18th, it’ll be interesting to see what lineup Jurgen Klopp goes with. Here’s my predicted XI...

GK – Alisson Becker – No doubt whatsoever about who gets the start in net. I do expect Simon Mignolet to feature at least once in the intense four weeks that lie ahead (probably v. Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Sep. 25th), but Alisson is the clear number one.

He can expect to be tested more in this match than all that came before and will be wise not to get too cute on the ball knowing the pressure Harry Kane and Lucas Moura will put him under.

LB – Andy Roberston - To be fair, most of this team picks themselves at this point, left back certainly included.

Robertson will be feeling extra confidence having just been given the captain’s armband by Scotland and he should have a good matchup on his hands doing battle with Trippier up and down the wing.

CB – Virgil van Dijk – The third straight no-brainer, van Dijk is automatic at this point. His strength, aerial ability and reading of the game will be put to the test up against Harry Kane.

CB – Joe Gomez – With the news that Dejan Lovren likely won’t see a competitive game until the end of October, Gomez will be allowed to continue cementing his place as the best partner to van Dijk.

Memories of Kane decimating Liverpool’s defense last season in this fixture (granted neither Gomez or van Dijk started that day) will be fresh in Liverpool supporters’ minds, but I expect Gomez to have another commanding performance.

Kane will likely look to exploit his inexperience only to find a composed player who has the recovery speed to make up for any mistakes he might make.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold – Even though it’s highly likely that TAA gets the call here, this is the first choice that’s not completely automatic.

Fabinho operated at right back for Brazil against the USA in a friendly last Friday evening and had a rock-solid performance.

With the PSG match only three days later and Alexander-Arnold expected to start in that one, I could potentially see Klopp allowing Fabinho to make his debut here.

That said, I would still stick with the consistency of Alexander-Arnold and decide on the PSG team selection after.

MF – Gini Wijnaldum – In the holding midfield role, there are a few names in the mix to get the start.

Fabinho also might earn his first start in this role if Klopp determines he’s adjusted to the system and to provide an additional layer of protection to the back four.

Klopp may also turn to Henderson in this role the way he did in the last match at Leicester, but I’ve got the feeling Wijnaldum is the right choice here.

MF – James Milner – With Wijnaldum taking the holding mid spot, this comes down to Milner or Henderson.

I’ll take Milner’s overall work rate, ability to pressure the ball and fearless nature over Henderson’s ball distribution.

MF – Naby Keita – Keita came out of the gates flying in the opener against West Ham, but he’s seen his performances dip and even found himself on the bench in the Leicester match.

He brings a creativity to the midfield that others can’t replicate. Look for him to use his box to box skills to the fullest here.

FW – Sadio Mane – Mane’s been Liverpool’s most in form forward through four games and should challenge for the golden boot this season.

The only reason we’d see any of the front three rested is if Klopp is saving them for PSG, in which case Xherdan Shaqiri could earn his first start.

FW – Mo Salah – Salah hasn’t started this campaign the way he finished the last, but he’s still got a couple goals even without being in top form.

After lighting up the international break with two goals and two assists, this is the game where he reminds everyone just how dangerous he is.

ST – Roberto Firmino – It’s taken some time, but it looks like Firmino’s finally done enough to earn an opportunity to win the role of first choice striker for Brazil.

He looked exceptional against the USA and like Salah, looks to be returning to his best after a long summer.

Knowing how much Klopp adores Firmino, I imagine he’s usually the first name on the team sheet and a game of this magnitude is no exception.