Liverpool currently sits on top of their Champions League group, but things could get tight if they don’t manage to take full three points from the away trip to the Red Star Stadium. The Serbian outfit are becoming the whipping boys of the group as Paris Saint Germain and Liverpool have thrashed them already. But playing away against them with a boisterous crowd backing the home team is a different proposition altogether, and things could get nervy and tricky if Liverpool does not score an early goal.
The Reds are in good form, but one feels that they are yet to play their best football and slowly they need to bring their A game as we enter into the busy phase of the season with Christmas approaching.
Team News
Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson remain doubtful for this tie. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is unlikely to see any first-team action until the end of the season. Dejan Lovren missed the tie against Arsenal due to a muscle problem, and it is yet not clear whether he would be ready for this away trip to Serbia.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs Red Star Belgrade
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
Alisson Becker is a nailed on starter in goal for the Reds. With Lovren’s situation uncertain, Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez are likely to start again as a centre-back pairing. Out on the left, Alberto Moreno might be preferred for this game as Andy Robertson played a gruelling weekend tie against Arsenal. On the right, Trent Alexander Arnold should start to complete a formidable back four for Jurgen Klopp.
Midfield
Klopp might be feeling slightly unlucky as these were the games for which he added depth in midfield by bringing in players in the summer market, but it is likely that Henderson and Keita would be unavailable. The game against Arsenal in midweek was end to end, and the midfielders had put in a massive shift. So we might expect some changes to be made even though the manager doesn’t have too many options to play with at the moment.
We expect Fabinho to keep his place and he should start in the defensive midfield role. Adam Lallana should provide a fresh pair of legs for this tie, and he should start in midfield. Liverpool should look to start the game on the front foot, and we believe Xherdan Shaqiri should be given a go from the beginning in the midfield three.
Attack
Sadio Mane is likely to keep his place for this tie as Klopp cannot afford to experiment much in his position. Mohamed Salah should start down the right flank with Daniel Sturridge leading the line for Liverpool to complete a potent front three.
