Tonight, Liverpool will face Napoli in their fifth game of the Champions League this campaign.
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As it stands, the Reds are top of the group, five points ahead of third. A victory against the Italian side would secure their place in the next round, whilst a draw would leave them needing just a point versus RB Salzburg in the final match.
Given what is on the line, Jurgen Klopp should put out a strong side against the Serie A team. Here, we try to predict his starting XI.
There is little question as to who will start in goal. After returning from injury, he has played all but one game, and that absence came in the League Cup against Arsenal.
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In defence, there could be one change. Andrew Robertson, although still struggling with a slight issue by his own admission, should play against Carlo Ancelotti’s team, whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be dislodged at right-back. Virgil van Dijk, as ever, is expected to line up at the heart of defence, so the only question is, who will be alongside him? With plenty of games coming their way, Klopp may decide to give Joe Gomez a run out, allowing Dejan Lovren to rest as the matches come thick and fast.
Fabinho has been in fantastic form this season – he was even called the best defensive midfielder in the world by Gary Neville in September (Sky Sports via The Mirror) – so there is no reason to remove him from the side. Jordan Henderson, as captain, should expect to see his name on the team-sheet tonight, as well. Also, there could be a rare start for Naby Keita. Georginio Wijnaldum was far from his best against Crystal Palace, picking up a SofaScore rating of just 6.7 and, with plenty of fixtures to come, it may give the former Borussia Dortmund boss the perfect chance to try the former RB Leipzig man in the middle of the park.
Mohamed Salah was on the bench at Selhurst Park on Saturday, but Klopp has since said that he has looked good in training, so we should expect him to be included from the start. On the left, Sadio Mane’s stunning form this campaign – he has 12 goals and five assists in 18 matches – gives his boss no choice but to name him. Up front, Roberto Firmino should get the nod after ending his six-game goal drought in the Premier League against the Eagles at the weekend.
In other news, Steven Gerrard could play a role in Liverpool signing two promising youngsters.
