Liverpool play Italian side Inter Milan in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Protecting a 2-0 lead from the first-leg in Milan, Liverpool are heavy favourites to make the last eight of the competition.
But Jurgen Klopp will have to be wary of complacency. The Italian champions are an excellent team and gave The Reds a tough game three weeks ago in San Siro.
Here’s how we think Klopp will line his side up in a bid to reach the quarter-final for the fourth time in five years.
Defence
It was another clean sheet for Alisson Becker against West Ham United on Saturday evening. He made a subtle but crucial save to keep Liverpool in the lead just before half-time. He’s the undisputed number one and will play again here.
At right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is fresh off the back of registering his 16th assists of the season. He’ll get a chance to add to that at Anfield tonight.
Alongside him Klopp has a big call to make. As Joel Matip was ruled out of the game at the weekend through illness, we don’t think he’ll be rushed back here.
Ibrahima Konate was great against West Ham but he wasn’t pictured in training ahead of the game yesterday.
As a result, it makes sense that Joe Gomez will be given the chance to build on his impressive performance in the cup against Norwich City.
The ever reliable pair of Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson will complete the back four.
Midfield
Klopp has options available to him following Thiago Alcantara’s return to training this week. We think as the Spaniard’s layoff wasn’t serious, the manager will put him straight in for this one before resting him at the weekend.
Fabinho‘s place in the team almost goes without saying. Inter need to score at least twice to have any chance of progressing.
That will mean Fabinho has his work cut out to stop attacks tonight. Even without the suspended Nicolo Barella to contend with in the middle of the pitch, it should be a busy evening for the Brazilian.
Naby Keita came in and did well for Liverpool at the weekend. But his fitness needs to be managed carefully. It may be better to bring the £48m man off the bench in order to keep him fit.
There should be no such concerns about Jordan Henderson who came on and changed the game in the first-leg of the tie. The captain should get the nod again this evening.
Attack
Liverpool once again have their quintet of elite attackers available for selection. Roberto Firmino’s return to training was a welcome sight but it’s unlikely that he’ll start this one.
Instead, after managing his minutes somewhat, Klopp should throw Diogo Jota in from the start at Anfield.
The manager called the Portuguese attacker ‘world-class’ via Sky Sports after he dismantled Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final in January.
But the 25-year-old is without a goal in five games (two starts) and will be itching to find the net again.
Mohamed Salah will be hoping to add to his eight Champions League goals this season. Finally, Sadio Mane has been in brilliant goalscoring form and should start again.
With Inter having to chase the game, hopefully Luis Diaz can be introduced as a substitute to attack tired legs.
A big night at Anfield lies in wait. Come on you Reds!
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Inter: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Mane
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