Liverpool will switch their focus to their Europa League group-stage campaign on Thursday evening when they welcome Union Saint-Gilloise to Anfield.
The Reds head into the encounter against the backdrop of their first loss of the 2023-24 season. Jurgen Klopp’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League, although the game was marred with VAR controversy while they ended the game with nine men.
However, Klopp and Co. have no time to lick their wounds and must quickly bounce back to make it two consecutive wins in the Europa League, following the straightforward start to their Group E campaign with a 3-1 win over LASK last month.
Liverpool Team News
Curtis Jones and Diego Jota will serve their respective suspensions following their dismissals against Tottenham in the Premier League, but the duo can feature in Europe.
Liverpool suffered a fresh injury blow at the weekend when Cody Gakpo suffered a knee injury immediately after scoring the equaliser against Tottenham. He was spotted walking with a brace as he left north London and looks likely to miss Liverpool’s next few games.
Thiago Alcantara (back) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf) remain out. Jurgen Klopp will likely rotate his side ahead of a trip to Brighton at the weekend in the Premier League.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Union SG (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Caoimhin Kelleher is set to replace Alisson Becker in goal on Thursday. The Irishman will be aiming to keep a clean sheet and repay the manager’s faith in him.
Defence
Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas could be deployed at full-back in the Liverpool lineup, with Trent Alexander-Arnold likely starting the game on the bench having only recently recovered from a hamstring issue. Although his presence in the pre-match presser hinted at an involvement from the start, Klopp might decide to play safe given the amount of injuries piling up across the league.
Ibrahima Konate looks set to be recalled into the starting XI to partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence. The pair have to be switched on throughout the game to keep the Union SG attackers at bay.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliot will all be hoping to force their way into the Liverpool lineup after beginning as substitutes last weekend. The midfield trio will look to dominate possession and move the ball quickly, as well as protect the backline.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones could come off the bench to provide fresh legs in the second half.
Attack
Darwin Nunez was unlucky to miss out on a start against Tottenham but he is the most likely candidate to replace the injured Gakpo in the Liverpool lineup today, with Ben Doak and Diogo Jota offering creativity, dynamism and flair from the wide areas.
If the Reds are in need of more attacking punch in the second half, Klopp will have the likes of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah to bring on from the bench.
