With three back to back victories in the Premier League on either side of the international break, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are back in form this season and are just four points off 2nd placed Manchester City in the PL points table. However, come Tuesday night, the Reds travel to Seville for their 5th group stage encounter in the Champions League.
Liverpool are currently top of their group table in Champions League, with just a point more than their immediate opponents Sevilla. A win in this tie will ensure their place in the knock-out phase of the competition and will be a big boost for their games in the busy festive season ahead.
The La Liga outfit stands in a similar position to the visitors in their domestic table and held them to a draw in the reverse fixture, earlier this season. However, with some momentum gathered, Klopp will go for all three points and here is how he might field his side for this tie:
Team News:
Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Matip are the only first team players missing from the squad that travelled to Spain. Joe Gomez, who was rested at the weekend is back in the squad along with Danny Ings, who may get a few minutes.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
Though Simon Mignolet has now kept two clean sheets in the last three games, Klopp has stuck with Loris Karius on goal for this competition and the German should be back under the bars for this tie. With Matip still out, Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan will remain the centre-back pairing for Liverpool for yet another game.
Joe Gomez will take Trent Alexandre-Arnold’s place, after being rested for the weekend’s clash against the Saints. Alberto Moreno could be charged up, playing for his boyhood club for the fourth time since leaving them.
Midfield:
Skipper Jordan Henderson was effective in the middle of the park at the weekend but he might be rested, keeping in mind the game against Chelsea on Saturday. German star Emre Can, who only played as a substitute against Southampton, should play as the deepest of the midfielders against Sevilla.
Philippe Coutinho should keep his place in the side along with Georginio Wijnaldum, who complete the midfield for the visitors.
Attack:
Roberto Firmino will start as the false-9, a role he has excelled in so far this season. He would like to add some goals to his game, however. Speedster Sadio Mane and in-form Mohamed Salah will start from the flanks, hoping to scare the hosts with some serious pace.
Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana, James Milner and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain will all make the bench.
Here is how they might line up:
