As news filters through of Liverpool’s game against Wolves being officially postponed, attention now turns to Tuesday’s match with Ajax.
The Reds got their Champions League campaign off to the worst possible start on Wednesday. A 4-1 defeat Napoli could have actually been much worse, as Liverpool reached their nadir.
They have the chance to put that right quickly as Ajax travel to Anfield next week. With no game at the weekend Jurgen Klopp must use the time on the training pitch wisely.
With the opportunity to instil a new-look midfield for Liverpool, we could see a very different line-up on Tuesday. Here’s the XI we think Klopp will go for.
Defence
One of the few Liverpool players to come out of Wednesday’s debacle in Naples with any credit, Alisson Becker will start again next week.
In-front of him it’s a little more difficult to predict. It wouldn’t be harsh to see all of Liverpool’s back four for Napoli dropped. But we don’t think Klopp will go that far.
We do however think that Trent Alexander-Arnold needs a game off. The right-back has been abysmal defensively at crucial times this season and needs to know that he can’t keep going that way. As Alan Shearer noted, Trent is ‘phenomenal,‘ but he needs a wake-up call.
Equally culpable on Wednesday was Joe Gomez. But the 25-year-old still needs rhythm and should be moved out to the right to provide solidity at the back.
For Virgil Van Dijk, see Trent Alexander-Arnold. But with a lack of defensive cover, Klopp can only drop one. Virgil should retain his place with Joel Matip coming in. Kostas Tsimikas was untainted by the mid-week result and should also start.
Midfield
The major positive to come out of the Napoli humiliation was the return to fitness of Thiago Alcantara. Thiago showed what Liverpool have been missing with his half-hour cameo and simply has to start on Tuesday.
This game should also see Arthur claim his first start for the club. With James Milner not playing well and Harvey Elliott needing a break, it’s the perfect opportunity for the Brazilian to make his mark.
Joining the new-look midfield should be the calming influence of Fabinho. The no.3 has been as leggy as the rest of them recently, but he should be re-energised by Thiago’s return and the presence of his countryman Athur.
Attack
A few questions could have been raised about why Klopp decided not to start Darwin Nunez against Napoli. It’s unlikely he’ll make that call again having witnessed what he did in Naples. Darwin should start.
Aside from the Uruguayan’s inclusion for Roberto Firmino, Liverpool will likely be unchanged.
Mohamed Salah could surely do with a rest, but Klopp will still be hoping he can play his way into form. On the other side of the attack, Luis Diaz has no such worries.
The Colombian is playing well and looks like Liverpool’s best source of a goal every game he plays.
So there we go, an exciting looking XI after a pretty stale few weeks. Let’s see if anything changes over the weekend.
Early Liverpool predicted XI vs Ajax: Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Arthur, Thiago; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
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