Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool have made two changes to their starting XI for tonight’s Champions League clash with Qarabag. Hugo Ekitike and Andy Robertson return to the lineup, replacing Joe Gomez and Milos Kerkez.
Ryan Gravenberch starts at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool chase automatic qualification to the knockout stages. With Gomez sidelined by a hip injury and Ibrahima Konate on compassionate leave, Gravenberch is preferred over Wataru Endo, who partnered Van Dijk in Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth.
Jeremie Frimpong and Robertson complete the back four, with Alisson Becker in goal. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai take the deeper roles, while Florian Wirtz is positioned as a No.10.
The front three sees Mohamed Salah on the right, Cody Gakpo on the left, and Hugo Ekitike leading the line. The French forward, who featured off the bench on Saturday, makes his second consecutive Champions League start.
Tonight, Mohamed Salah makes his 80th Champions League appearance for Liverpool, equalling the club record in the European Cup/Champions League previously set by Jamie Carragher.
Curtis Jones is not included on the bench for tonight’s game. According to the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele, Jones is unavailable for Liverpool’s game against Qarabag tonight due to illness.
Kieran Morrison has been named on the bench. A win for Liverpool tonight would guarantee their place in the Champions League last-16, avoiding the need for a two-legged playoff.
Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Robertson, Frimpong, Gravenberch. Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha.
Qarabag: Kochalski, Silva, Mustafazade, Medina, Jafarguliyev, Pedro Bicalho, Jankovic, Leandro Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir, Duran. Subs: Ramazanov, Buntic, Mmaee, Kouakou, Akhundzade, Addai, Dani Bolt, Kashchuk, Gurbanli, Bayramov, A. Huseynov, B. Huseynov.
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