Liverpool will reshuffle their line-up by starting Dejan Lovren and James Milner in defence against Manchester United on Sunday, according to James Pearce.
The Echo’s Liverpool correspondent reported that Jurgen Klopp will be unable to select three senior defenders for Sunday’s Anfield showdown after Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Joel Matip and Joe Gomez on the casualty list.
Pearce claims Milner is set to replace Alexander-Arnold (foot) at right-back after deputising there against Bournemouth last weekend, while Lovren is set to start at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk.
OPINION
Losing three key defenders in the space of six days is a hammer blow for Liverpool. Gomez has been especially outstanding this season, while Alexander-Arnold has continued to make impressive strides and was outstanding in the midweek Champions League win against Napoli. Matip’s fractured collarbone feels especially cruel after he had seized his opportunity so impressively in the last three matches – against Burnley, Bournemouth and Napoli, all of which were won with different but equally expert performances. Klopp is certainly not the type of manager to panic and will trust experienced campaigners Lovren and Milner to rise to the occasion against United. Milner does not have Alexander-Arnold’s pace or mobility but is a seasoned operator who always does a decent job at full-back and spent an entire season art left-back. Lovren has had the best year of his career for club and country, although a series of injuries this season have disrupted his rhythm.