Darwin Nunez looks set to continue up front for Liverpool in Saturday's Premier League title clash with Arsenal.
Although the Uruguayan failed to score for the 11th game in a row as the Reds smashed West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, Jurgen Klopp insisted that any narrative over the striker's place in the team is false.
He told reporters: "I think in the moment we're second in the league, which is not that bad, but because we have to talk every day about us, you make stories up and all of a sudden from everything is fine after a 0-0 [against Manchester United] we start discussing who is not scoring and the frontline is not firing and stuff like this.
"If I would read all these things, I get told sometimes that it's a story and then I look at the headlines and just think, 'Oh my God. I really feel for you all that you have to make these stories up'."
Cody Gakpo started as the central striker and scored in midweek but Klopp will likely trust his first-choice starters for the visit of Arsenal.
The key questions come in midfield, where Ryan Gravenberch should be fit after being rested due to fatigue. However, Curtis Jones starred with two goals against West Ham.
Alexis Mac Allister is on the comeback trail following an ankle injury which Liverpool have confirmed is "progressing well". Likewise, Diogo Jota is nearing his return from a hamstring issue.
In defence, Jarell Quansah has made a strong case to continue in the team of late but Virgil van Dijk is perhaps more likely to be partnered by the experienced Ibrahima Konate in such a big game.
Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas are competing to start at left-back, after both played in midweek when Trent Alexander-Arnold was rested.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Injuries: Thiago, Bajcetic, Doak
Doubts: Gravenberch, Jota
Time and date: 5.30pm GMT, Saturday December 23, 2023
Venue: Anfield
TV channel: Sky Sports