Liverpool trip to Rome in the midweek ended in a 4-2 loss, their first in Europe but that was not enough to stop them from confirming their place at Kyiv for the Champions League final this season. They face Real Madrid later this month but will not have to turn their attention towards the domestic league, where they still have some unfinished business.
The Reds, who need at least three points from the last two games to qualify for the Champions League next season, will travel to Stamford Bridge this weekend, to take on Chelsea, who are their biggest rivals to a place in the top 4.
Currently trailing Liverpool with six points, with a game in hand, the Blues cannot afford to drop even a single point in this tie and have been in decent form recently, winning four of their last five games. They are not an easy side to beat and will test the UCL finalists. But Klopp’s men have enough quality to go all the way and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this trip to London:
Team News
The duo of Joel Matip and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been ruled out for the rest of the season. Emre Can continues to be ignored while Joe Gomez is suffering from a niggle and will undergo a late fitness test before the game. Adam Lallana is back in training and should make it at least to the bench this weekend.
Expected Liverpool lineup (4-3-3)
Defence
Loris Karius had a couple of nervous moments in Rome but is the undisputed no. 1 for Klopp. The German will keep his place under the bar while the duo of Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk, will keep their place at the heart of the backline against Chelsea.
Trent Alexander-Arnold also had a testing time against the Italian giants and might be given a breather. Nathaniel Clyne is ready for first team action and should replace him at right-back. Andrew Robertson has been immense at left-back and will keep his place in the side for this tie.
Midfield
With the Ox and Can not available, Liverpool’s midfield kind of picks itself for this game. Skipper Jordan Henderson will keep his place in the side as the deepest of the midfielders while James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum will look to add guile to the Liverpool midfield.
Attack
Liverpool have no midweek game next week and do not need to rest any of their prolific front three. Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will look to continue their good form while Mohamed Salah, who drew blanks in the last two games, will be back at the club where he was rejected and will have a point to prove.
Here is how they might line up:
