Team News: Roberto Firmino returns to Liverpool bench as COVID-hit trio miss out

Roberto Firmino has returned to Liverpool's bench for their Premier League clash with Newcastle United this evening.

Shortly before announcing their starting XI, the Reds confirmed that three players - Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones - had returned suspected positive coronavirus tests, ruling them out of the contest.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has therefore been forced into two changes from the team that beat Aston Villa at the weekend, with Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate coming in for Fabinho and Van Dijk.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will drop back into midfield to make way for Jota, while Firmino returns to the bench following a spell on the sidelines through injury.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both start once again, with the latter looking to equal Jamie Vardy's record of directly contributing to a goal in 15 consecutive Premier League appearances.

Newcastle, meanwhile, have left Callum Wilson on the bench, with Joelinton chosen to lead the line at Anfield.

There are also returns to Merseyside for Javi Manquillo and Jonjo Shelvey, while Jacob Murphy, Isaac Hayden and Ryan Fraser all come into Eddie Howe's side from the 4-0 defeat to Leicester City last time out.

Liverpool would move back to within one point of leaders Manchester City with a win over Newcastle, while the relegation-threatened Magpies are aiming to move level on points with 17th-placed Watford.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander Arnold, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Henderson, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Jota, Salah

Subs: Kelleher, Pitaluga, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Gomez, Minamino, Tsimikas, Williams

Newcastle United: Dubravka; Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis; Hayden, Shelvey; Fraser, Murphy, Saint-Maximin; Joelinton

Subs: Clark, Wilson, Ritchie, Hendrick, Almiron, Darlow, Willock, Gayle, Longstaff