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Liverpool team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Norwich – Klopp gives surprise Mane update
SADIO MANE could start Liverpool's opening match of the Premier League campaign against Norwich City tonight (8pm), despite missing the majority of pre-season.
Liverpool vs Norwich: Premier League match preview
Liverpool get their domestic season underway when they host newly-promoted Norwich at Anfield this evening, and Mane is in contention to feature from the off.
The forward had not been expected to play having only recently returned to the club following a holiday after the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that the Senegalese ace is available for selection against the Canaries after taking part in training this week.
When asked on Thursday if Mane could feature, Klopp said: “Yes. He had only two weeks off, so he didn’t lose a lot and that’s the good news.
“He looks fit… he [was] now with the team for the first time and looks absolutely OK, in good spirits and looking forward to it. So, yes, he’s an option but we will see.”
It does remain unlikely that Mane will be thrown straight back into the action from the off, having sat out the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City last weekend.
However, James Milner is also back in contention after a minor muscle issue and stands a better chance of starting the match.
Speaking about the veteran midfielder, Klopp said: “[He is] good. Millie [James Milner] trained yesterday with the team 100 per cent. He would have probably trained on Tuesday with the team, but we were not in. He will be fine.”
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Klopp has a key decision to make in central defence with Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren all in contention to start – although the former appears most likely after starting against City last weekend.
Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all certain to start in defence, with the latter unchallenged at right-back following Nathaniel Clyne’s serious knee injury.
Fabinho has racked up the most minutes of any Liverpool player in pre-season and will anchor the midfield, with the Brazilian expected to be joined by club captain Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum if Milner is overlooked.
Divock Origi is the most likely beneficiary of Mane’s absence, with the Belgian expected to line up on the left wing, while Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino should start.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Norwich City – Premier League
(4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Origi, Firmino