Klopp facing Liverpool midfield conundrum as Minamino offers selection poser

Liverpool's tried and trusted were the reason they landed a significant blow in the Premier League title race on Sunday.

Goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah earned the Reds a memorable 2-0 home win over Carabao Cup semi-finalists Manchester United.

It kept Liverpool unbeaten in the Premier League this season and opened up a 16-point lead at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Jurgen Klopp will now consider his options for a second game in a spell of five in 14 days.

And here we look ahead to the changes the Reds boss could make when his side are next in action at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday.

The Matip question

Seven successive Premier League clean sheets suggests Liverpool are doing something right in defence.

The lack of rotation, though, has largely been a case of necessity rather than design.

But with Joel Matip now back after almost three months out, Klopp at least has options to change things.

That said, the imminent FA Cup fourth round tie at Shrewsbury Town seems a more opportune time to consider major alterations.

Matip will probably have to wait a little longer for his first-team return.

Fabinho primed

Liverpool's midfield ran themselves into the ground against United.

And while Naby Keita and James Milner are likely to still be sidelined, and Xherdan Shaqiri has admitted he is unlikely to make it, there are some options available.

Adam Lallana will be chomping at the bit for further involvement, while 18-year-old Curtis Jones is eager for more Premier League exposure.

Fabinho, though, seems the more likely to come in for a long-awaited start having returned from an ankle injury as a late substitute against United.

Minamino or yes?

There's also the chance of a switch to 4-2-3-1, which may open up an opportunity for another attacking player.

That brings both Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino into the reckoning, although one or both could be used even if the regular 4-3-3 is employed.

But the outstanding form of the regular front trio - and the fact none are likely to feature against Shrewsbury three days later - makes that unlikely on Thursday.