OPINION
Liverpool can secure a comprehensive victory over Manchester United if they recall Naby Keita to the starting XI and hand him the responsibility of providing midfield drive and impetus.
Jurgen Klopp will be forced into making at least two changes from the side that secured a memorable 1-0 Champions League victory against Napoli on Tuesday night to reach the last-16 stage.
Injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold (foot) and Joel Matip (fractured collarbone) means the manager will not be able to select his first-choice side, as he is also without long-term absentee Joe Gomez.
The five-day break between matches means Klopp does not need to rotate too much, and should instead select the strongest possible side to win the match.
That means recalling summer signings Keita and Fabinho to the line-up as well as bringing Dejan Lovren back in to replace Matip.
Milner must deputise for Alexander-Arnold after an impressive showing against Bournemouth in that position last weekend, while Henderson should be axed to accommodate the return of Fabinho.
The Englishman, 28, set the tone for Liverpool’s high-tempo game against Napoli, but Fabinho is emerging as the best in the club at winning the ball, recovering possession and interceptions.
He is starting to settle at Anfield, the same as Keita, who had two of his best three games for the club in the last week or so against Burnley and Bournemouth.
Given the calibre of the opponents, Klopp should resist the urge to recall Xherdan Shaqiri and give Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane the chance to atone for mediocre midweek displays.