Liverpool will clash heads with Cardiff City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, hoping to pick up a win in the fourth round of the FA Cup competition. The Bluebirds will be heading into the contest on the back of an encouraging 1-0 win against Barnsley, whereas the Reds recorded a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on January 23.
Team News
The Reds will be without the services of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah as they are currently at the African Cup of Nations. However, Harvey Elliott, Divock Origi, and Thiago Alcantara are in contention to make the starting eleven on Sunday. Luis Diaz is unlikely to be ready in time to make his debut.
Jurgen Klopp will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game. In defence, Ibrahima Konate might get the nod over Joel Matip, whereas Thiago Alcantara looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs Cardiff City
Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher should operate between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Irish shot-stopper will hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Sunday.
Joel Matip will form the centre-half partnership with Ibrahima Konate at the heart of Liverpool’s backline.
Andrew Robertson is a guaranteed starter at the left wing-back position, whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold will fill in on the other flank as the right wing-back. The full-backs will be expected to stretch their side’s attack in the opposition half.
Konstantinos Tsimikas will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could be brought on in the latter stages of the game if needed.
Midfield
Fabinho might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara will slot into the central midfield roles. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Attack
Diogo Jota and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing, respectively.
Roberto Firmino will lead the line for the hosts this weekend. The Brazil international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the Cardiff defence that has kept just one clean sheet in their last five matches across all competitions.
Takumi Minamino could come off the bench in the second forty-five minutes of the match.
