Just a week after beating LASK 6-3 in Austria, Liverpool return to action in the Champions League as they host Villarreal at Anfield on matchday three of the competition tomorrow at 20:00 UK time, hoping to maintain their 100% start in Europe.
Inigo Perez’s outfit comes into the fixture having beaten Napoli 3-1 at home seven days back, so they will wear a confident look on their visit to Merseyside. Here is a look at the possible playing eleven that the home side is likely to deploy against the La Liga side.
Goalkeeper – Alisson Becker is expected to retain his place in between the sticks over Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Defenders – Jeremie Frimpong is ruled out for the fixture, so Ronald Araujo may deputise at right back. A change may be in store on the left side of the back four with Kostas Tsimikas likely to replace Milos Kerkez.
Virgil van Dijk might continue in the heart of the backline but Jeremy Jacquet may be afforded a rest, with Joe Gomez possibly coming in his place.
Gravenberch replaces Szoboszlai, Ngumoha in for Munoz
Midfielders – Alexis Mac Allister has arguably been the best central midfielder for Liverpool so far this season and scored for them the last time they featured at Anfield in the Champions League, against Atletico Madrid against September. The Argentine is expected to keep his place in a deeper-lying role once more.
With Dominik Szoboszlai injured, Ryan Gravenberch might feature alongside Mac Allister in the double pivot, whereas Florian Wirtz is expected to continue as the number 10. Rio Ngumoha may get a start on the right flank after a decent impact off the bench at the weekend against Brentford, replacing Victor Munoz in the process, but Bradley Barcola may continue on the left wing.
Striker – Alexander Isak was wasteful against Brentford in the Premier League last Saturday but bagged the match-winner. Against a difficult side, the Swede is expected to get the nod over Lewis Koumas as the number nine.
Here is a look at Liverpool’s potential starting eleven on paper.
