The Liverpool lineup that should start against Burnley

Liverpool celebrate Alisson's winner against West Brom
Liverpool celebrate Alisson's winner against West Brom / Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
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Just two games stand between Liverpool and returning to the Champions League next season. After the season they've had, that would be some feat.

Alisson's wonderfully dramatic late header against West Brom means their fate is in their own hands heading into their penultimate matches and with Chelsea set to face Leicester during the week, one of the two teams above them is guaranteed to drop points.

So a pair of wins for Liverpool would guarantee them a top four spot, and a one way ticket back into the big leagues next season.

But they can't take anything for granted. They've struggled against the teams lower in the table this season and Burnley, with a spring in their step after securing their safety from relegation, will be out to prove a point.

Here is the team Jurgen Klopp should start as he looks to get his team over the line.


1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Alisson Becker
Alisson at the wrong end of the pitch doing exactly the right thing / Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Alisson (GK) - His place was safe anyway, but he went and made himself the hero with one of the best moments the Premier League has ever seen just for good measure.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) - His performance against West Brom was overshadowed by his keeper's finest hour but it was one of his best of the season and should really have done enough to have booked his ticket for the coach to the Euros.

Nat Phillips (CB) - There's a case to be made for him as one of Liverpool's players of the season. That's a sentence I never thought I'd write, but here we are.

Fabinho (CB) - With Ozan Kabak still injured, it may be time to take Rhys Williams out of the spotlight and finish the season strong with a more dependable presence at centre-back...even if it weakens the midfield somewhat.

Andy Robertson (LB) - As steady and reliable as you'll get. To Kostas Tsimikas' detriment, he never misses a minute of action and that's not likely to change any time soon.

2. Midfielders

Curtis Jones, Xherdan Shaqiri, Jurgen Klopp
Jones makes way for Xherdan Shaqiri / Pool/Getty Images

Thiago (CM) - There's been a few signs he's getting back to his best and a strong showing against West Brom was encouraging yet again.

Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) - The days may be ticking down on his Liverpool career but Wijnaldum has been a calming presence in midfield right to the very end.

Curtis Jones (CM) - Back in the starting XI at the weekend and after he was substituted on the hour mark, he should be good to again.

3. Forwards

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino
*The boys are back in town* / Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Mohamed Salah (RW) - With 22 goals now, he's neck and neck with Harry Kane for the golden boot and won't want to lose that fight. But he will be more worried about getting Liverpool into the Champions League, and needs to be at his best to get him there.

Roberto Firmino (CF) - Looked in danger of losing his place to Diogo Jota but seems to have responded well to that challenge. With the Portuguese out, he has a spot for the final two matches but he'll need to be on his toes for next season.

Sadio Mane (LW) - He's friends with Jurgen Klopp again and that's always nice. It's been a poor season for the Senegalese but he'll be out to finish it with a flourish against Burnley and Crystal Palace.