Jurgen Klopp faces Thiago Alcantara’s decision as Liverpool consider Xherdan Shaqiri to rethink



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Liverpool moved clear to the top of the Premier League table with a win over West Ham United on Saturday.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and substitute Diogo Jota were enough for the Reds to come back and take 2-1 at Anfield.

The Premier League and the world champions are now turning their attention to the Champions League, with Jurgen Klopp considering his options.

And here we look forward to the changes the Reds manager could make for the Group D clash in Atalanta on Tuesday.

Change in the back

Liverpool will have to make at least one alteration to the team that started the weekend.

Nathaniel Phillips, who impressed in his Premier League debut on Saturday, is ineligible having not been included in the Reds’ Champions League squad.

Rhys Williams is poised to return for his first Champions League start, although the Reds are awaiting the form of Joel Matip.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are expected to continue in the wing positions.

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Thiago time?

Klopp has been willing to rotate his midfield at every opportunity this season.

And with five substitutes allowed in European competition, he has made the most of it with Jordan Henderson having been used in 45-minute rounds so far.

It could be the same again on Tuesday, and Liverpool are likely to stick with a three-man midfield.

Thiago Alcantara came close to returning at the weekend and could be in line to play in Italy, while James Milner has become something of a midweek man this season.

One of Gini Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones, who started against West Ham, is expected to start again, while Xherdan Shaqiri made a compelling case at the weekend.

Jurgen Klopp speaks to the press after the Premier League match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on October 31, 2020

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The Firmino question

Last week’s win over FC Midtjylland put the three regular forwards to rest before emerging in the second half, the opposite of what happened at Ajax in the first group match.

It would be a big surprise for Divock Origi to be in XI, while Takumi Minamino did not make the most of his opportunity against the Danes.

Diogo Jota, however, is close to starting after another winning contribution on Saturday, with Roberto Firmino on break.

  • What changes should Jurgen Klopp make for Atalanta? Let us know in the comments below.



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