Anfield will play host to one of the biggest clubs in Europe tonight, AC Milan. Combined, Liverpool and AC Milan have 13 European/UCL Trophies, a crazy feat indeed.
Klopp has a relatively injury free squad to choose from. Harvey Elliott’s terrible injury will have him sidelined for a while but the only other injury worries are Roberto Firmino and James Milner.
Takumi Minamino returned to full training this week so we could see a cameo from him. Ibrahima Konate could also be in-store for his first start for Liverpool.
So let’s see who our writers think Jurgen Klopp will start and why!
Adam Ford
Alisson;
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Roberton;
Thiago, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson;
Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have only conceded one goal in their opening four games this season. In a big game like this I don’t expect Jurgen Klopp to shake things up now. With a League Cup game against Norwich incoming, the safer bet seems to be that Klopp will wait until then before making any changes at the back.
The injury to Harvey Elliott against Leeds was a blow for the Liverpool squad. The Reds midfield now looks very predictable going forward, which isn’t a bad thing. I would be surprised if Thiago and Fabinho did not keep their place in the side after an impressive turn against Leeds. Henderson will also start after receiving some rest over the weekend. An appearance from Naby Keita will only be a brief cameo at best.
Similar to the midfield, Liverpool’s attack is fairly predictable. With Roberto Firmino still injured, it is unlikely Jurgen Klopp will make any changes to his front line. Neither Divock Origi nor Takumi Minamino featured on the bench for Liverpool in their game away to Leeds.
With Harvey Elliott now absent long term, I would expect one of the two to regain their spot on the bench. I would personally like to see Minamino come back in and possibly feature against Milan depending on the scoreline after the hour mark. Klopp has spoken on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain transitioning into a more forward role so there is the possibility he features in favour of Minamino later in the game.
Omer Cayir
Alisson;
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson;
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago;
Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane
AC Milan at home, what a way to start the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League campaign. Anfield will be rocking and the Liverpool starting XI will most certainly be too.
Despite the impressive 3-0 win at Leeds, Klopp will be forced to make at least one change to his team as a consequence of the heart-breaking injury to young sensation, Harvey Elliott. I anticipate Klopp to make a further change to his side by bringing in Joe Gomez for Joel Matip.
Despite Matip and Van Dijk effortlessly recommencing their formidable partnership of previous years, it may be too much to ask both men to play three games a week, especially off the back of their injury ravaged 2020/21 seasons. I believe Gomez comes in for his first start of the season as a result of his already tried and well tested partnership with Van Dijk.
Even though Ibrahima Konaté may seem a better match up for the fierce presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, I believe it is a great risk to throw him in for his competitive Liverpool debut, considering the magnitude of the fixture.
Elsewhere, it seems a no-brainer for skipper Jordan Henderson to return to the midfield in place of Elliott. Alongside the captain I expect Thiago and Fabinho to maintain their places, given both of their utterly dominant displays against Leeds.
With the game perhaps one too soon for Roberto Firmino, I also anticipate an unchanged forward line from
Neil Conner
Alisson;
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson;
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago;
Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Sadio Mane
After a convincing 3-0 victory at Elland Road on Sunday, Liverpool will be looking to kick start their Champions League campaign in similarly impressive fashion.
Harvey Elliott will be missing long term after he dislocated his ankle in the game with Leeds and is most likely to be replaced by skipper Jordan Henderson who came on for him after the injury.
Whilst some rotation will be required this week with three games inside seven days, I do expect this to be the only change for this game .
Should Jurgen Klopp want to freshen up the team further than both Kostas Tsimikas and Naby Keita have proved already this season that they are fit and ready to play when called upon.
Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, James Milner, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be keen to get some minutes over the coming weeks. It’s probable however that their opportunities will come against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday and if not in the EFL Cup tie versus Norwich City next week.