given the big game on Saturday, I'm thinking maybe: Ali Trent Konate Gomez Tsimi Hendo-Millie-Jones Mo Bobby Jota
A win puts us in the drivers seat to qualify early and City game is Sunday followed by international break, so I'd expect pretty much our strongest team.
I would play Ox instead of hendo. I'd liek a fresh Hendo, Fabinho and Naby k. to go against city (if naby isn;t fit, then Jones is young enough to not be tired by three games in a row)
crap. can't find anything saying he's injured. maybe a return of that illness? or a minor problem and protecting him for Saturday? Neco did travel with the team.
some reports saying he wasn’t fit enough and not alluding to the injury - so it’s possible he kind of rushed back from being sick but hasn’t really recovered.
And other reports have it that the squad was exceeding the CL squad limit and TAA was the one left out, despite training. Which seems fishy. TAA, a starter or Phillips on the bench, who to exclude? Answers itself no? My guess is that the squad limit thing is correct, but TAA is not 100% and Klopp is ensuring that he’s good to go for City at the weekend.
As I said, TAA is a starter and Phillips will be on the bench probably not seeing any minutes (we hope, right?). Both qualify as home grown for the CL squad, I think, so it’s a way too transparent reason. Unless it’s an injury or not being 100%, then it’s something odd. Because squad size ain’t it.
I guess the main decision for Klopp will be a) start the strongest lineup, hope to sit several of them (5 subs) as things go well .... or b) start some bench guys, hope they do enough to leave the usual starters out completely Trent being out means Millie is a cert at RB I think wouldn't be surprised to see Origi or Taki start in Mane's place.
And Sir Rednose famously said they passed on him because of the way he runs would mean he wouldn't last long at the PL level...