Liverpool will aim to guarantee their place in the Champions League knockout rounds when they welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield on Wednesday.
The Reds edged a 3-2 win over Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano in October, thereby, maintaining their 100 per cent record in Group B. However, they were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Brighton at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
Jürgen Klopp will expect a better performance and a positive result on Wednesday to offer Liverpool some room for rotation in the group with two games to spare.
Liverpool Team News
Naby Keita was forced off with a hamstring problem against Brighton at the weekend and is likely to be sidelined for the Atletico Madrid game. James Milner and Harvey Elliot are already sidelined.
It remains to be seen if Jürgen Klopp will decide to start with either one of Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara. Both have been cleared to feature against the Spanish side.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup vs Atletico Madrid (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson Becker is Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and he is set to start against Atletico Madrid.
Defence
Summer signing Ibrahima Konate could make his European bow on Wednesday after a couple of solid displays in the Premier League. He’ll partner Virgil van Dijk, who would aim to put in a better display than what he did at Wanda Metropolitano last month. Joel Matip is also an option for the Reds.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are two of the most attacking full-backs in Europe and the duo will look to stretch the Atletico backline with their marauding runs, crossing ability and energy at Anfield.
Midfield
Jurgen Klopp is facing a crisis in midfield following Naby Keita’s injury on Saturday. With Fabinho and Thiago doubtful, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to start in the Reds midfield alongside skipper Jordan Henderson and hugely talented Curtis Jones.
The trio of Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jones will look to control the tempo of the game and cut Atletico’s passing lanes in midfield.
Attack
Mohamed Salah is unstoppable right now and while he didn’t score against Brighton at Anfield, he found himself in the assist column for his nicely weighted pass for Henderson’s goal. With his blistering pace, smart movement and directness, the Egyptian will look to terrorise the Atletico Madrid backline.
A goal against Brighton should have given Sadio Mane a lot of confidence and he’ll look to get on the score sheet against on Wednesday. The Senegalese will start on the left flank with Diogo Jota likely to be preferred ahead of Roberto Firmino.
