Liverpool will lock horns with Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday night, hoping to pick up a positive result and book a place in the finals of the UEFA Champions League. The Reds will be heading into the game on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle United, whereas the hosts recorded a 2-1 loss to Alaves.
Team News
Roberto Firmino remains doubtful for the midweek clash.
“Bobby, it’s not a serious injury,” Klopp revealed before the Newcastle game.
“We are still all kind of convinced but it takes now a little bit longer already than we all thought. Especially Bobby thought as well.”
“We had a little bit, and I hope it didn’t actually extend bigger, we had a little problem with Curtis and Kostas. Kostas was back yesterday; Curtis couldn’t train yesterday still. This is why these two boys were out.”
Jurgen Klopp will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with several tweaks from the last game. Thiago Alcantara might get the nod over Naby Keita in midfield, whereas Mohamed Salah looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Liverpool Predicted Lineup Vs Villarreal
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 Tuesday.
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 Trent Alexander-Arnold 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.
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Midfield
Fabinho might start in the holding midfield position and could be assigned with more of a defensive role to shield the away side’s back-four.
Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara 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, respectively.
Sadio Mane will lead the line against Villarreal in midweek. The Senegal international will be hoping to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the defence that has conceded six goals in their last five matches across all competitions.
Diogo Jota could come off the bench in the second forty-five minutes of the match.
