Liverpool will have a huge task at hand on the final day of the season as they host relegated Middlesbrough side in a must-win game. The Reds’ Champions League hopes hinges upon it and Jurgen Klopp will remain under huge pressure. Arsenal would hope the Merseyside club falters one last time that would help keep the North-London club’s European record intact this year too.
While against an already relegated side, Klopp would expect a routine win, their record against weaker teams has been a concern for them this season. At Anfield, they have drawn against sides like Bournemouth, Southampton and West Ham United and even lost to Crystal Palace and Swansea City. It makes the last game all the more interesting.
Premier League has their own final day records. While Liverpool have won eight of their last 10 final day games at Anfield, Boro have lost five of their last six away games against top teams, although they had registered a win at Merseyside in the 1999-2000 season (Everton 2-0).
Possible Liverpool XI vs Middlesbrough
Defence
Simon Mignolet will take his position under the bar once again. The Belgian had little to do against West Ham although the Hammers hit the woodwork twice. On his home turf, Mignolet would expect a better game from his defence.
The defensive flanks will be taken by James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne. After the combative first half at the London Stadium, the duo had a relatively easier game thereafter. However, with Adama Traore and Stuart Downing to defend now, they would be expecting a busy day.
The central defence is expected to feature Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip. Liverpool are looking to add some significant players in that position.
Midfield
The three-man midfield is now up and running for the Reds again, which faced a slump with the season-ending injury to Jordan Henderson and repeated stumbles to Adam Lallana. Now with Can finding his form alongside Georginio Wijnaldum, Liverpool look balanced.
Lucas Leiva came on with just two minutes left in the game, and we expect Klopp to start with Lallana with the duo in the middle of the park.
Attack
Phillipe Coutinho started in the left midfield last game and it worked well too, but against a resilient Boro side who have proved hard to break the Brazilian would need an advanced role to unlock their defence.
The two strikers would be Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge – Origi
Coutinho
Can – Wijnaldum – Lallana
Milner – Lovren – Matip – Clyne
Mignolet
