The Reds host defending Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash at Anfield. Liverpool are comfortably sitting at top of their group with 9 points from 3 games and will be hoping to secure their place in the knockout stages of the tournament when they face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. After their poor performance in the weekend where they dropped points at home vs Brighton, Klopp would be looking for nothing other than a win this week to guarantee their top spot in the group.
Let’s take a look at how Liverpool will line up vs Atletico Madrid.
Defence
After conceding two goals in the weekend vs Brighton, Jurgen Klopp might make a few changes in his defence with Joel Matip coming in for Ibrahim Konate and Kostas Tsimikas replacing Andrew Robertson for this game.
Tsimikas will bring the crossing quality back into the team which the Liverpool front three can make use of. Trent on the other side of the pitch will help the team’s attack with his overlaps.
VVD would likely retain his position as the main central defender of the squad although he isn’t in his best form this season.
Midfield
Liverpool are still missing key midfield players in their squad with the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita, Harvey Elliot and Fabinho all out with injuries. Although Thiago is back in training from last week but this fixture might come early for him to start from the 1st minute. He is likely to make the bench this time around.
Captain Jordan Henderson will again play the number 6 role in the team with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones staring beside him as the other 2 midfield options.
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Attack
Diogo Jota is set to return to the starting XI after missing out in the last game to partner Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane to form a formidable front three for Liverpool. Mohammed Salah has either scored or assisted in 12 matches out of 13 for Liverpool this season and is considered to be in the form of his life. He would like to hurt the Atletico Madrid defence again just like he did a couple of weeks back at the Wanda Metropolitano.
