As Jurgen Klopp prepares for his first game at Anfield, we take a look at how Liverpool could line up for an important Europa League clash against Rubin Kazan.
Klopp takes to the ‘home’ Anfield dugout for the first time on Thursday against the Russian outfit on a night of real importance.
The Reds are in real need of a win after two draws in the first two Europa League clashes and Klopp will be looking to spark an immediate upturn in form at Anfield, where he is set to have a healthier squad at his disposal.
Team News
- Jon Flanagan and Jordan Henderson remain out
- Dejan Lovren, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke closing in on comebacks after returning to training but unlikely to start
- Daniel Sturridge “getting better” but to miss out again with Sunday’s clash against Southampton the target for return
- Youngsters Connor Randall, Pedro Chirivella and Cameron Brannagan all trained and could take part but Jordan Rossiter remains side-lined
- Joao Carlos Teixeira unavailable for selection as not named in Europa League squad
Roberto Firmino back in training. pic.twitter.com/JlWHsih4vx
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) October 21, 2015
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Simon Mignolet, Adam Bogdan
Defenders: Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, Alberto Moreno, Kolo Toure, Dejan Lovren, Connor Randall
Midfielders: Lucas Leiva, Emre Can, James Milner, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Joe Allen, Jordon Ibe, Pedro Chirivella, Cameron Brannagan
Forwards: Roberto Firmino, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi
The Liverpool XI
Klopp is likely to deploy the same set-up that saw his side battle to a hard fought draw at White Hart Lane last weekend.
Whether the German decides to play a full strength team – and the same team – to allow for consistency to be built with his first choice XI remains to be seen.
If the 48-year-old does choose to go that way, Liverpool could line up looking like this come kick-off time:
However, Klopp could look to rotate the squad, to provide the chance for those who have not yet featured to get their first taste of how the German wants to play.
Kolo Toure gives the manager a defensive option to bring in, with Joe Allen available to come into midfield, while youngsters such as Connor Randall, Cameron Brannagan and Pedro Chirivella hand Klopp other alternatives.
Origi is set to keep his starting shirt after a promising showing last time out and with Sturridge being preserved for Sunday’s clash with Southampton and Benteke unlikely to start.
A somewhat rotated side could see the Reds line up like this come 8pm kick-off time:
A new era at Anfield begins on Thursday night, what better way to start than with a victory of real importance.
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