[ad_1]
Fabinho and Joel Matip will do the job with the change of formation
Paul Gorst: Tonight’s victory could lead the Reds to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
How tonic would that be for Jurgen Klopp to basically discard two matches as dead rubbers before Christmas?
However, I expect a different Atalanta for tonight’s game and I don’t necessarily think it is the walk in the park in Bergamo that was the 5-0 win earlier this month.
Klopp has to stay strong then, but I think Neco Williams will start on the right side with Joel Matip and Fabinho in the middle.
This could be an ideal game for Kostas Tsimikas to come in and give Andy Robertson a break with Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
In midfield, I choose Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner as the two-man engine room.
In the 4-2-3-1 system I am playing the traditional three forwards and the fit Diogo Jota.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Williams, Fabinho, Matip, Tsimikas; Wijnaldum, Milner; Jota, Mane, Salah; Firmino.
Mohamed Salah starts when the ‘midweek team’ tries
Ian Doyle: The Champions League is equal to changes. At least that’s been the path for Liverpool for much of their Group D campaign this season.
And what I refer to as “the midweek squad” is out tonight, especially since, with five substitutions, if everything starts to go wrong, Klopp can throw a bunch of regulars in the second half.
The goalkeeper is a given: Alisson Becker, although if Liverpool go ahead tonight with victory, I would expect Adrian to have a few starts in later group games.
Defense is more complicated. He will not risk one of Fabinho or Matip, and I will go for Matip as a central defender alongside, by default, Rhys Williams.
Tsimikas has waited a long time for a start to be able to replace the rested Robertson, while right-back Neco Williams will play for reasons that become obvious in the next sentence.
The lack of midfielders means Milner can start where he left off against Leicester City, with Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones having to play again.
From the beginning, there is room for change. The newly available Mohamed Salah must start, and since Sadio Mane looked exhausted on Sunday, he would have Jota on the left.
It’s also time for Takumi Minamino to try again in the middle.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; N. Williams, R Williams, Matip, Tsimikas; Milner, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Minamino, Jota.
Get the latest injury and team news from Liverpool as Klopp grapples with the selection dilemma, plus the latest news and breakdown of what’s next for the Reds.
You’ll also get the latest talk and transfer analysis delivered right to your inbox every day with our FREE email newsletter.
Register here, it only takes a few seconds!
Takumi Minamino in midfield while Jurgen Klopp can mix it up
Sean Bradbury: This is a game of changes and rest for tired legs.
It is also a game to hopefully secure passage to the knockout stages and ensure that upcoming Ajax and Midtjylland matches are new rotation opportunities.
With both priorities in mind, he would pick a mix of established stars and fringe players.
Robertson finally takes a breather and Tsimikas is off to a first start in the Champions League. Neco Williams is on the opposite flank.
Fabinho is the center-back to bring some seniority to the defense. He is joined by Rhys Williams in the middle.
Milner and Matip are saved until the weekend, and Nat Phillips, currently ineligible in Europe, also enters against Brighton.
The midfield is difficult considering all the absences. The 4-2-3-1 is tempting, but since there is no Jordan Henderson or Thiago, let’s move on to the 4-3-3.
Wijnaldum returns to go with Jones next to him. Minamino is also tried there, locating where Naby Keita was against Leicester City.
We’ve already seen Xherdan Shaqiri in a deeper position this season, and Minamino certainly has the technique to do it.
In attack, he would keep faith in the trio that put Atalanta to the sword in the tie. If Salah is not quite ready, then Roberto Firmino plays.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; N Williams, R Williams, Fabinho, Tsimikas; Wijnaldum, Jones, Minamino; Mane, Jota, Salah.
* Who would you start with tonight? Let us know in the comments section.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane saved as Diogo Jota can hurt
Theo Squires: I really don’t envy that Klopp has to pick a team from his injury-depleted Liverpool squad to face Atalanta, knowing the Reds could clinch Champions League qualification, but also knowing they’ll face a trip to Brighton on Saturday at Lunch time.
With Henderson likely offside, Milner captains the team and he remains on the right back, meaning Fabinho can be pushed into midfield alongside Wijnaldum and Jones.
Rhys Williams is performing well in Europe and did well against Atalanta in Italy, so he returns to join Matip with Robertson in the last four ahead of Alisson.
Salah is available, but he would keep him on the bench and only bring him in if necessary to win the game, with Mane also sitting next to him in reserve. Instead, the duo can be unleashed in Brighton.
As a result, a fit Jota, eager to rejoin the Italians after their hat-trick before the international break, starts on the right, with Minamino entering from the opposite flank.
And Firmino, buoyed by his goal against Leicester City, plays down the middle to form the XI and hopefully build momentum into that busy holiday period.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Milner, Matip, R Williams, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Jones; Jota, Firmino, Minamino.
[ad_2]
