Liverpool take on Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with Jurgen Klopp facing selection decisions due to form and fitness issues in his squad.
It’s safe to say that heading into the new European campaign, the Reds haven’t had the best of preparations.
With injuries strangling the team during these first few weeks of the season, luck has not favored Klopp’s side on the pitch either.
So far in the Premier League, Liverpool have won two, drawn three and lost one, and their 0-0 draw at Everton on Saturday sums up the problems they have faced.
The hope is that a change of scenery could inspire a return to form, and it can be argued that a change in personnel could also help their cause.
team news
Following Liverpool’s open practice on Tuesday, we know the following:
Liverpool XI vs. Naples
Despite the lack of fluidity on display in the Merseyside derby, Klopp seems unlikely to make any significant changes to his side for Napoli.
There is even a chance that only two modifications will be made in the hope that the stronger side of the paper will click again and inspire a positive outcome:
That would see Liverpool lined up like this:
Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Thiago; Salah, Diaz, Nunez
However, there is a compelling case for a number of Goodison Park draw changes, with Trent Alexander-Arnold among those who could possibly drop out.
Alexander-Arnold has been in worrying form for much of the season so far, and with Ramsay still sidelined, Klopp has included Isaac Mabaya in his training squad in an extended role.
However, Gomez is the most realistic understudy for Liverpool’s No. 66, although there could also be further changes in midfield and attack:
Those alterations would see Liverpool formed like this:
Allison; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Arthur; Salah, Jota, Firmino
Napoli are in fine form heading into their Group A opener, sitting second in Serie A following a 2-1 win over Lazio at the weekend, unbeaten in five games so far.
But Liverpool will be looking to inflict their first defeat of the campaign and rewrite their own fortunes in the process, with changes to the starting lineup perhaps key to doing so.
