The hard-fought victory at Bramall Lane saw Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool extend their winning run to seven league games this season. However, they started their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 loss at Naples and have a chance to hit back when they welcome Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg to Anfield this week.
Jesse Marsch’s men put six past Genk in the last round of the competition and stand at the top of their group in this competition.
The Austrian Bundesliga league leaders have dropped just a couple of points in the league so far this season and are not going to be easy opponents for the Reds. But Liverpool have not lost a game at Anfield for almost two years now and will believe that they can steal all three points from this game.
Liverpool Team News
In early team news, Liverpool are still without Alisson Becker, Nathaniel Clyne and Xherdan Shaqiri, all of who are nursing injuries.
However, they remain the only absentees ahead of this game for the hosts.
PREDICTED LIVERPOOL LINEUP vs RED BULL SALZBURG (4-3-3)
Defence
In Alisson’s absence, Adrian has turned out to be a match-winner on more than one occasion this season. He is the first choice for Klopp under the bar, even in the Champions League. His work has been made easier by the centre-back pairing of Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk, both of who have been relatively solid at the back for the Reds.
They could be an easier game if Erling Haaland, who is doubtful for this game, is not able to make the trip to Merseyside.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson add creativity to the side on the flanks in the Liverpool lineup.
Salzburg have no real wingers in their side but Marsch’s system might push both of Liverpool’s full-backs into their own half, making it a bit difficult for their attack. This Salzburg side scored six goals in the last Champions League game and will surely test this backline.
Midfield
Fabinho is currently one of the first names on the team sheets for Klopp this season. The Brazilian is fast growing into one of the best in his role and will have to keep the likes of Takumi Minamino and Dominik Szoboszlai from creating chances in the final third.
Jordan Henderson played just over an hour of the game at Bramall Lane last weekend and should be fit enough to start this game in the midfield in the Liverpool lineup.
Klopp might push Naby Keita in the advanced midfield role, who will face his former side for the first time in Liverpool colours. Keita was rested for the game against the Blades and could be the danger man for the visitors in this game.
Attack
Klopp has no real reason to shuffle his attackers in this game. They face The Foxes at the weekend, but the manager rarely has chosen his side based on upcoming games, which will mean that Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will all start in attack for the hosts.
Salah will look to push Andreas Ulmer back into his own half, leaving him little chance to make an impact at the other end of the field. This is one battle that can decide the outcome of the game.
LIVERPOOL LINEUP
