Liverpool return to Anfield for Champions League action, with Europe continuing to provide a clearer sense of direction than their domestic campaign. Performances in the Premier League have been inconsistent; however, in the Champions League, Liverpool have looked more composed and more comfortable within their structure. With the league phase still open and margins tight, Arne Slot is expected to approach this fixture with a strong, settled XI rather than unnecessary rotation.
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Liverpool Team News and Predicted Lineup vs Qarabag in the Champions League
How Liverpool Have Lined Up Recently
Slot has moved away from a traditional 4-3-3 and has instead leaned into a more compact 4-5-1 shape, particularly in European fixtures. The system has seen Liverpool operate with two central midfielders positioned deeper, providing protection in transition and allowing the attacking line to stay narrow and connected. At Anfield, that structure has still allowed Liverpool to play on the front foot, but with far more emphasis on control than in some of their more chaotic league performances. The approach has been consistent across recent Champions League matches and has offered Liverpool a clearer platform to build from.
Recent Form
Liverpool’s form across competitions has been uneven. They have won three of their last nine matches in all competitions, with domestic performances failing to deliver any real rhythm or momentum. In contrast, their Champions League displays have been more controlled, even when results have not been perfect. Europe has offered fewer of the structural issues that have plagued Liverpool in the league, and this fixture represents another opportunity to lean into what has worked best so far in the competition.
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Team News and Injuries to Consider
Liverpool come into the match without any new suspension concerns. Defensive options remain limited, with Ibrahima Kanate out for personal reasons and Joe Gomez injured. Slot has shown little appetite for rotating heavily in Europe when the margin for error remains small. With no clear incentive to experiment, continuity and familiarity are likely to guide Liverpool’s approach once again.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup
GK: Alisson
RB: Frimpong
CB: Endo
CB: Van Dijk
LB: Robertson
CM: Gravenberch
CM: Szoboszlai
RM: Salah
AM: Wirtz
LM: Gakpo
ST: Ekitike
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / Every Second Media