Forget Thiago: Klopp must unleash Liverpool's "world-class" £130k-pw sensation tonight - opinion

Liverpool will play their second game of the season and their first Premier League game back at Anfield this evening against Crystal Palace, and there is no doubt that Jurgen Klopp will want to make a statement in front of the home fans after the disappointing 2-2 draw with Fulham last weekend.

The Reds struggled to hold off Marco Silva’s newly-promoted side and the disasters didn’t stop with the scoreline as Thiago Alcantara limped off the pitch early into the second half with a hamstring injury that will now see him sidelined for six weeks, further adding to Liverpool’s midfield injury issues.

Both Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were already unavailable for selection through injury so now with Thiago joining them in recovery, Klopp is left with James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Harvey Elliot and newly returned Naby Keita.

Keita had been unavailable for the Craven Cottage clash following a bout of illness, but the Liverpool manager took to his pre-match press conference on Friday to confirm that the Guinean midfielder will be ready to return on Monday night, and Klopp must slot him straight back into the starting line-up against Patrick Vieira’s side.

Liverpool played their fifth game of last season against Crystal Palace winning 3-0, in a clash that saw Keita score an absolute screamer against Vieira’s side at Anfield and Klopp could well hope for another great performance from the £130k-per-week sensation if he unleashes him in tonight’s fixture.

Although the German coach may be tempted to give Elliott the nod over Keita alongside Fabinho and Henderson, it would be much better for Keita to take the starting role in the midfield three this evening, as his experience could be invaluable over the game.

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