Klopp gives ‘fantastic’ player just his second start: Predicted Liverpool lineup v Napoli

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Here’s our predicted Liverpool lineup v Napoli later today. The Reds go into this one having qualified from their Champions League group.

Liverpool can technically still top their Champions League group but it’ll take an almighty win. They must beat Napoli by three goals at Anfield – likely too big a task against Europe’s in-form side.

And with Tottenham Hotspur waiting at the weekend, we imagine Jurgen Klopp will instead use this as a chance to rest players. Liverpool are already through, after all, and won’t be too fussed about their potential last-16 opponents.

We think Klopp will rest players and rotate here. When talking in his pre-season press conference, he talked about Calvin Ramsay possibly starting.

“That makes now no sense if we have to change a lot of players to bring Calvin in for his first senior [appearance]. Coming on, yeah, for sure – these kind of things should be possible.”

That sounds as though Klopp plans on ringing the changes here. So with that in mind, here’s how we think things will go tonight.

Predicted Liverpool lineup v Napoli

Defence

We think this might be the right time for Caoimhín Kelleher getting his first appearance of the season. Maybe Liverpool wait until the meeting with Derby County next week but Alisson may appreciate a break.

At right-back, we think it’ll be James Milner. Kostas Tsimikas feels like a certainty at left-back, too.

Virgil van Dijk plays every game and we think he’ll remain here. It doesn’t make sense to just let Napoli walk over Liverpool and this is also a chance to get him back alongside ‘fantastic’ Ibou Konaté. The Frenchman should be back for this.

Midfield

We think Liverpool may go with Jordan Henderson and Thiago against Tottenham Hotspur. That would leave Fabinho starting here, possibly with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott in there.

Fabio Carvalho could play as a no.10 – his preferred position.

Attack

Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah again. Liverpool don’t actually have many options and it makes some sense to give them another game to build a partnership.

Roberto Firmino doesn’t tend to play game after game – resting him here for Saturday is the smart move.