Does Van Dijk’s Return Provides Midfield Dilemma?

Virgil van Dijk’s return gives Jurgen Klopp some big decisions to make with his midfield selection in Sunday’s showdown with Man United.

English football’s fiercest rivalry reignites at Old Trafford with the stakes arguably higher than ever before for the Reds in the Premier League era.

Victory would simply be priceless for Liverpool, and it will take a season’s best performance to get it against a very different United side to the one swatted aside at Anfield in December.

Crucially, the Reds come into the grudge match in better shape and will be closer to full-strength than against Bayern Munich as van Dijk is available.

But the Dutchman’s return brings a real selection dilemma for Klopp in midfield, with several in-form options battling for shirts.

So how could Liverpool’s starting XI look at Old Trafford?

Klopp is boosted by the availability of Van Dijk, who will return to defence after missing the Bayern Munich draw through suspension.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the boss confirmed this was the only return with no change on the injury front.

Dejan Lovren (hamstring) is still out, as is Joe Gomez (leg fracture) for the foreseeable future, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster continue to build towards comebacks.

Van Dijk’s return to centre-back will free up Fabinho and the Brazilian could be restored to his natural midfield position.

Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita will all be hoping to keep their starting shirts after impressing as a unit against Bayern.

James Milner is also pushing for starting XI recall, giving Klopp a tough midfield selection to make.

Xherdan Shaqiri is unlikely to force into the attack and the likes of Adam Lallana, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge will continue on the bench.

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