Join AI Pro
After the postponement of the Merseyside Derby on Saturday, Liverpool return to action tonight against Girona in the UEFA Champions League. The Reds have thoroughly enjoyed their European campaign so far, with five wins from five games so far.
That includes huge victories against the likes of AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. Arne Slot’s side could also break a club record tonight, eyeing their fifth successive European clean sheet, not conceding since the opening game at AC Milan.
With that being said, let’s take a look at our predicted lineup for this one…
Slot’s Back Line
Prior to the Merseyside Derby being postponed, this was bookmarked as a potential fixture for rest to some of Liverpool’s key players. However, I think we’re now in line to see a stronger lineup that originally expected.
Alisson Becker has returned to the travelling squad and is expected to return to the starting lineup, as hinted by Slot in his pre-match press conference. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will likely partner each other at full-back.
Photo: IMAGO
Virgil Van Dijk will be partnered by Joe Gomez at the heart of the defence, despite many calling for Jarell Quansah to come in for the captain.
Verdict: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk (C), Robertson
Change in Midfield
Again, many people will be hoping that Ryan Gravenberch is given a rest for this one, but I don’t think that’ll happen. The Dutchman will be joined by Curtis Jones at the base of the midfield, due to the suspension of Alexis Mac Allister. This will likely be the midfield pairing for the Fulham clash on Saturday, so could be a good idea to get them some minutes alongside each other.
Photo: IMAGO
Dominik Szoboszlai will start as the more advanced midfielder. The likes of Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott will both have a role to play from the bench, with rotation expected at some point in the game.
Verdict: Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai
Three of Four Up-Front
Arne Slot touched on the struggles of only having four forwards for the three attacking roles, but this will hopefully be the last time that this is the case with Diogo Jota set to return at the weekend.
Photo: IMAGO
Mohamed Salah will start on the right-wing, whilst Cody Gakpo will look to continue his impressive run of form on the opposite flank. After playing the full 90 minutes against Newcastle and failing to impress, Darwin Nunez will drop to the bench and be replaced by Luis Diaz, who will be deployed centrally.
Verdict: Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Bench: Kelleher, Jaros, Quansah, Norris, McConnell, Endo, Elliott, Nunez
Join AI Pro