Liverpool fans are hoping to see Takumi Minamino play after he was selected to start ahead of Mohamed Salah against Crystal Palace.
After a disappointing record of games, Jurgen Klopp has opted to name Salah on the bench, with the striker having already played four games in less than two weeks.
Starting in Salah’s place is Minamino, who has yet to be properly beaten at Anfield since his January move from RB Salzburg.
This is the Japanese striker’s fourth start in the Premier League since his transfer and, without a league goal to his name, fans are desperate to see him step up.
Klopp’s ruling on Salah in a busy season has sparked plenty of debate.
The 28-year-old was clearly disappointed when he was replaced after just 64 minutes in last month’s draw by Brighton, but Klopp defended his rebound.
He said: “If Mo smiles when he leaves the park something is wrong. We have to be careful, he doesn’t like that, but that’s it.”
But the decision to start Salah – and play for the full 90 minutes – in the dead rubber of the Champions League against FC Midtjylland raised eyes behind Reds fans.
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Salah takes a break completing a series of seven straight starts.
The forward missed a 3-0 win at the Reds over Leicester City last month following the international break due to a positive coronavirus test.
Since then, he has started in seven straight games, including scoring in each of the Reds ’last four games.
So far he has completed 14 goals in 20 games in all competitions this season.