Liverpool will lock horns with Benfica at Anfield on Wednesday night, hoping to pick up a positive result in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League competition. The Reds will be heading into the game on the back of a 2-2 draw with Manchester City, whereas the visitors recorded an encouraging 3-1 win against B-SAD.
Jurgen Klopp will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game. Naby Keita might get the nod over Thiago Alcantara in midfield, whereas Roberto Firmino looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs Benfica
Defence
Alisson Becker should operate between the sticks for the upcoming clash. The Brazilian shot-stopper would hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Wednesday.
Ibrahima Konate will form the centre-half partnership with Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Liverpool’s backline.
Andrew Robertson is a guaranteed starter at the left wing-back position, whereas Joe Gomez will fill in on the other flank as the right wing-back. The full-backs will be expected to stretch their side’s attack in the opposition half.
Konstantinos Tsimikas will have to settle for a place on the bench, but he could be brought on in the latter stages of the game if needed.
Midfield
Fabinho might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita will slot into the central midfield roles. The duo would be determined to set up some clear-cut goal scoring chances for the front men.
Attack
Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing.
Roberto Firmino will lead the line against Benfica in midweek. The Brazil international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the defence that has conceded eight goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
Sadio Mane could come off the bench in the second forty-five minutes of the match.
