Looking to bounce back from a two-game winless streak, Liverpool will be all fired up for a win at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday when they take on Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough. Just when the fans were dreaming about a possible Premier League title at the end of the season after Liverpool’s excellent start to the season, the Reds have started to falter and having collected just five points from available 12 in the past four Premier League games.
In the last match against West Ham United, Liverpool surrendered a 1-0 lead and succumbed to a 2-2 draw eventually. With 31 points from 15 games played so far, the Reds are placed third in the table now. They are now six points behind high-flying Chelsea and three behind Arsenal. The gap is still manageable but if Liverpool drop points again, it will be a massive blow to their title hopes.
Middlesbrough find themselves at the wrong end of the table, lingering at the 16th with 15 points but unlike their fellow strugglers, the Teessiders boast a much better defence and Liverpool might find it hard to break it down.
Here is the predicted Liverpool lineup against Middlesbrough.
Defence
Loris Karius once again disappointed with his goalkeeping against West Ham and should have done much better. Games are coming thick and fast for Liverpool and Klopp should give him a break now. The young German needs more time to settle in the Premier League and that is costing Liverpool dearly. Klopp should go for Mignolet under the bar against Boro.
Nathaniel Clyne will keep his place at right-back. Dejan Lovren suffered a minor knock while playing against West Ham and was taken off at half-time for Ragnar Klavan. We expect the Estonian stopper to start alongside Joel Matip against Boro. James Milner will keep his place at the left flank.
Midfield
Skipper Jordan Henderson will keep his place at the base of Liverpool’s three-man midfield. Adam Lallana proved how he is to the Liverpool team with his display against West Ham. The Englishman will keep his place in midfield. Emre Can has a minor knee injury to recover from and in his absence, Georginio Wijnaldum will keep his place.
Attack
Roberto Firmino has looked off-colour of late but Klopp is likely to keep faith in the Brazilian attacker against Boro. Divock Origi has scored four goals in his last four games for the Reds and will keep his place up front. In-form Sadio Mane will start on the right flank and will be looking to tear apart Boro with his pace.
