Liverpool head into a huge week in their season with a Champions League quarter-final first-leg in Lisbon on Tuesday.
The Reds fly to Portugal on the back of a relatively routine 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday. There was good news as Trent Alexander-Arnold made the bench for the Hornets visit to Anfield.
Liverpool suffered no further injury issues and could be at full-strength at the Estadio Da Luz. Here’s how we think they’ll line up with Sunday’s trip to the Etihad in mind.
Defence
No question marks over the goalkeeper. Alisson Becker was crucial again on Saturday for Liverpool. There was less than a minute between his one-on-one stop from Juraj Kucka and Diogo Jota’s opening goal. He’ll go again in Portugal.
Joe Gomez has done a sterling job at right-back in Alexander-Arnold‘s absence. But if the number 66 was fit enough for the bench on Saturday then he should be fit enough to start tomorrow.
Trent needs rhythm ahead of the trip to City. We think because of that, he’ll start here. But don’t be surprised to see him come off if things are going well.
Jurgen Klopp will surely plump for his first choice centre-back pairing of Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip. There is a big enough gap between Tuesday and Sunday to expect both players to play both here and in Manchester.
Andy Robertson will complete Liverpool’s strongest back five.
Midfield
Klopp is also likely to revert to his first-choice midfield three here. That means that Fabinho will be played from the start after being given a rest for the first hour or so on Saturday.
Thiago Alcantara‘s excellent performance secured him the Man of the Match award against Watford. Liverpool fans will hope he can keep that level of contribution up for the rest of the season, starting tomorrow.
Beside them will be the skipper. Jordan Henderson is a virtual automatic pick in these high-profile games and there’s no chance he doesn’t start in Lisbon.
Attack
Picking Klopp’s attack has become complicated ever since the arrival of Luis Diaz in January.
The Colombian, who Klopp called ‘outstanding’ via liverpoolfc.com after signing for Liverpool, was rested on Saturday. That probably means he’ll get the chance to test the legs of 34-year-old defensive pair Jan Vertonghen and Nicolas Otamendi tomorrow night as he returns to Portugal.
Diogo Jota has been in very good goalscoring form for both club and country. The ex-Porto man’s knack for getting a goal in his homeland should be rewarded with a start against his old enemy.
On Liverpool’s right, Mohamed Salah hasn’t been at his best recently. But a high-profile Champions League tie gives him the perfect stage to get back on track. He’ll start this one.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Benfica: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
