Liverpool face Italian side Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday evening.
The Reds welcome their Serie A opponents to Anfield off the back of a frustrating 2-2 draw against Manchester United, which dented their Premier League title hopes.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will therefore be keen to see his side bounce back, and here we predict the XI that the German could select for the game.
Goalkeeper
Caoimhin Kelleher has started each of Liverpool’s last 13 games across all competitions and is set to continue between the sticks. The Irishman has kept five clean sheets this term, and will look to add to that tally with first choice ‘keeper Alisson still injured.
Defenders
At the back, Klopp will likely select Joe Gomez at right-back, in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Englishman started on the bench last time out against United, but could replace Conor Bradley in the backline.
In the centre of defence, Virgil van Dijk will likely be partnered by Ibrahima Konate, who was an unused substitute at Old Trafford. Youngster Jarell Quansah, who has impressed when given opportunities recently, is likely to return to the bench.
Van Dijk will captain the Reds against Atalanta
Andy Robertson is set to continue at left-back, having been involved in nine of Liverpool’s last ten Premier League matches since recovering from a shoulder injury suffered on international duty with Scotland.
Midfielders
In midfield, Klopp could name an unchanged trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo. The three failed to dominate the centre of the pitch during the second half at Old Trafford, and the likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will be pushing to start against Atalanta.
Mac Allister has been one of Liverpool’s most impressive players so far this season
Thiago Alcantara continues to be absent through injury, while Ryan Gravenberch is likely to be named among the substitutes on Thursday.
Forwards
Mohamed Salah’s late penalty saved a point for the Reds against United, and the Egyptian is set to continue for this one. In total Salah has scored 23 times in 35 games across all competitions so far this season, and Klopp will be hoping he can add to that tally against Atalanta.
Salah rescued a point against Man United on Sunday with a late penalty
Darwin Nunez will likely continue through the middle of Liverpool’s attack. The Uruguayan has scored 18 goals this season, but has also been criticised for some of his performances.
On the left, Luis Diaz is most likely to start, having opened the scoring at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Cody Gakpo will likely be among the substitutes, while Diogo Jota remains unavailable due to injury.
Predicted XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
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