Here’s our predicted lineup for Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid. The Reds sit in a commanding position.
Saturday’s draw with Brighton was a very frustrating one. Liverpool led 2-0 in the game but let things slip with a poor second-half display. It was hardly the way to capitalise on a 5-0 win over Manchester United.
Fortunately, Liverpool have a chance to set things right this week. They host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, knowing that a positive result essentially guarantees progression.
Liverpool’s injury news is mixed, however. Fabinho & Thiago are ‘back in contention’ but Naby Keita is out for this – and likely a few more weeks.
So what should Jurgen Klopp do? Let’s have a look at his big decisions.
Defence
Alisson is a certainty in goal and Trent Alexander-Arnold almost certainly starts at right-back. Beyond that, though, it’s a little unclear.
There’s a solid case that Kostas Tsimikas should get a game over Andy Robertson. The Scot didn’t shine against Brighton – though, few did – and some fans would like to see rotation.
We understand that call but still think Robertson starts here.
There’s also the centre-back situation. It appears that Klopp has a new rotation – Virgil van Dijk & Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez & Joel Matip.
The former pairing started against United and Brighton. The latter started against Preston North End last midweek.
We think it makes sense to rotate them once again. Give Gomez and Matip a run-out here against top opposition to see what they can do.
Midfield
A tough one. Jordan Henderson surely begins this one and we imagine Fabinho will, too. It was abundantly clear in his absence how important the Brazilian is.
That leaves one midfield spot. Our guess is that this comes a little too soon for Thiago to start. Instead, it might be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Curtis Jones has had his Champions League nights already this season but Oxlade-Chamberlain has looked great off the bench lately. He’s well worth a start in a game like this.
Attack
Mohamed Salah starts every game, so we’ll put him in here. Beyond that, it’s up for debate. Diogo Jota didn’t face Brighton, though, so that surely means he’s getting the nod.
But who drops out? There’s a case for Roberto Firmino to start as Liverpool look to control possession.
At the same time, Atletico need to push for a result here – getting Jota and Sadio Mane in on the counter-attack could be devastating.
We think it might be Mane who drops out, though. He didn’t start the United fixture and Klopp could fancy a return to that trio.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Atletico
Alisson
Alexander-Arnold – Matip – Gomez – Robertson
Fabinho
Henderson – Oxlade-Chamberlain
Salah – Firmino – Jota
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