Predicted Liverpool XI to face Atalanta in the Champions League
Liverpool return to Champions League action as they face Atalanta in the fourth group stage game. The Reds have put some early season jitters behind them and are in good form ahead of the fixture. They managed to thrash Leicester in their last game.
The surprise package from last season, Atalanta have had a mixed bag so far. They have drawn their last two games and will be a bit concerned about this one. The previous encounter between these two sides ended with Liverpool absolutely running riot over Atalanta.
Team News
Jurgen Klopp will have a few injury concerns to deal with but if the last game was anything to go by, he won’t be too worried. Virgil Van Dijk’s ACL injury means that he could well be out for the season. Same goes for Joe Gomez.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is still out for about another month. Mohamed Salah is also in isolation after his covid diagnosis and is expected to be out of action until the end of the month. Also, Oxlade-Chamberlain still remains out.
Probable Liverpool XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Alisson (GK)
Alisson is expected to continue in goal given how error-prone Adrian is.
James Milner (RB)
With Arnold out for a while, Milner will have to deputise at right-back just as he did in the Leicester game.
Rhys Williams (CB)
The youngster impressed in the reverse fixture and Klopp might just be tempted to throw him on for this one as well.
Joel Matip (CB)
Matip remains the only senior centre-back for the club and hence he is very likely to start.
Andrew Robertson (LB)
The onus will be on Robertson again as he has started stepping up in recent weeks.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM)
Still a vital member of the team, brings loads of energy on to the pitch whenever he is there.
Curtis Jones (CM)
The youngster is impressing in the limited chances he’s getting and is again expected to be afforded another run out.
Jordan Henderson (CDM)
Captain Henderson will most likely be brought in for this game, replacing Naby Keita.
Diogo Jota (RW)
Jota will have fond memories of the last time he faced Atalanta as he ended up with a hat-trick. Will be hoping to emulate that performance.
Roberto Firmino (CF)
The Brazilian is slowly starting to get back among the goals, which is good news.
Sadio Mane (LW)
Mane’s impact cannot be understated. The Senegal man is one of the hardest working forwards and will be eager to get on the pitch again.
