LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 9, 2015: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson and manager Jürgen Klopp during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group Stage Group B match against FC Sion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Henderson’s first start under Klopp – Predicted Liverpool lineup vs. Sion

Liverpool lock horns with Sion in Switzerland for the final clash of the group stage, and we take a look at how Jurgen Klopp could line up his side on Thursday night.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 9, 2015: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson and manager Jürgen Klopp during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group Stage Group B match against FC Sion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Klopp’s Reds look to round-off a productive group stage by ensuring of top spot in Group B against Didier Tholot’s qualification hopefuls.

A point in Sion will be enough to see Liverpool cement first place – while a draw would also secure progression to the knockout stage for the Swiss outfit.

Klopp is set to make changes ahead of Sunday’s important clash against West Brom, but it remains to be seen how many the German decides to make on Thursday night.

 

Team News

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 9, 2015: Liverpool's Joe Allen, Allan Rodrigues de Sousa, Lucas Leiva, Philippe Coutinho Correia, Roberto Firmino, Christian Benteke and Kolo Toure during a training session at Melwood Training Ground ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group Stage Group B match against FC Sion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

  • Klopp to make changes in Switzerland after taking young squad
  • Moreno, Lucas and Allen all left on Merseyside
  • Jordon Ibe also left at home after suffering with illness
  • Sturridge unavailable once again after picking up hamstring injury
  • Coutinho has travelled and could return in Sion
  • Henderson also pushing for first start under Klopp
  • Emre Can available again after one-game ban
  • Fringe players and youngsters in line to feature
  • Connor Randall set to start at right-back with Nathanial Clyne at left-back in place of Moreno
  • Divock Origi pushing for starting berth
  • Kolo Toure, Jordan Rossiter, Cameron Brannagan, Pedro Chirivella all options for Klopp to rotate

 

Liverpool’s XI

With changes forthcoming, it’s just a question of how many Klopp decides to make.

Leaving Moreno on Merseyside is set to see Randall come in at right-back, with Clyne switching to the left back as he did against Bournemouth in the League Cup last month.

Rossiter, Can, and Henderson could form a strong midfield three, allowing Adam Lallana and the retuning Coutinho to play in support of the fit and firing Origi.

In the 4-3-2-1 set-up, Liverpool would line up looking like this in Switzerland:

Sion 4-3-2-1

Having used it so successfully against Southampton eight days ago, Klopp could choose to deploy the 4-4-2 diamond formation.

Toure could replace Skrtel giving the Slovakian a rest, while Rossiter, Can, Henderson, and Lallana could form the midfield shape – keeping Coutinho in reserve for a second half cameo – behind an all-Belgian front duo of Benteke and Origi.

A change of system and personnel would see the Reds line up like this come 6om kick off time in Switzerland:

Sion 4-4-2 Diamond

While the Reds have done their job and booked their place in the knockout stage already, winning the group in Switzerland and finishing unbeaten would certainly provide an instant and welcome confidence boost.

 

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