Liverpool have little time to reflect on their heavyweight clash against Manchester City on Sunday as they return to Champions League action tomorrow.
The Reds are back at Anfield looking to complete the job against Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final.
After a 3-1 win away in Lisbon, Liverpool are well placed to make a third semi-final in five years. City are on the horizion again this weekend though, and Manchester United just a week away.
With those games in mind, Jurgen Klopp has a couple of selection dilemmas ahead of this one. Here’s how we think Liverpool will line up.
Defence
The easiest decision comes with the goalkeeper. Alisson Becker will retain his place unless something unexpected happens between now and kick-off tomorrow.
In-front of him, Trent Alexander-Arnold should continue his recovery from his recent hamstring issue. The right-back is so important to Liverpool but should be given some rest if the tie is looking secure.
At centre-back, Ibrahima Konate should reprise his role from the first-leg to give Joel Matip a break.
Konate’s error at the Estadio da Luz gave Benfica a way back into the game. He has largely been superb this season though, leading to Jamie Carragher calling him ‘excellent’ via Twitter after a dominating Champions League performance in San Siro.
Virgil Van Dijk will play every game that he’s available for between now and the end of the season, including this one.
Klopp may be tempted to rest Andy Robertson as he has a more than capable back-up in Kostas Tsimikas. Like Trent though, we think it’s best if Robbo starts before coming off if the game is going especially well.
Midfield
Liverpool looked a little ragged in midfield at times against City. That could have been because Fabinho was having a rare off day in the middle of the park. He looks ready for a rest and we think Klopp will afford him one here.
Instead, Jordan Henderson will line up in the ‘number 6’ position. The captain was substituted early against City, so it’s likely that he’ll start here.
Alongside him will be Naby Keita, who is in good form, and Thiago Alcantara who Liverpool will need to set the tempo against Benfica.
Attack
Predicting Liverpool’s starting attack these days is a fool’s game. In reality, no one other than Klopp knows which three he will pick for any given game.
Given Luis Diaz’s impact in the first-leg and the fact he started on the bench on Sunday though, it’s safe to assume the Colombian will start tomorrow.
Through the middle we think Klopp will go with Roberto Firmino in order to keep the ball and better stop Benfica’s counter-attacking game.
On the right, Mohamed Salah could really do with a break. The manager trusts him implicitly in these big nights at Anfield though, and with the tie not yet settled, the Egyptian will be asked to go again tomorrow night.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Benfica: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Keita, Thiago; Salah, Firmino, Diaz
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