Matip to return and rewards for

Shaqiri & Jota? – Predicting the

Liverpool lineup vs. Atalanta
 November 2, 2020
 Jack Lusby

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Liverpool head to Atalanta for their first-ever clash with the Italian side
on Tuesday night, with Jurgen Klopp likely to ring the changes again in
the Champions League.
The Reds are currently top of Group D after overcoming both Ajax and
Midtjylland, but face arguably their biggest test yet as they take on second-
placed Atalanta.

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A visit to the Stadio di Bergamo will be Liverpool’s first, and Klopp was full of
praise for Atalanta in his pre-match press conference, with the Serie A side
scoring 98 league goals last season.

Fortunately, the manager is boosted by an improvement in his options in

defence for this tie, with Joel Matip among the players available in Lombardy.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up on Tuesday night.

Injuries and ineligibles

The news ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Italy was largely positive, with not only
Matip back in full training but Naby Keita, Kostas Tsimikas and Billy Koumetio
too.
Thiago was still absent, however, along with Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk and Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain.
And while the Reds are able to name an expanded squad in the Champions
League, and Klopp is permitted to make five changes per game, the manager
is restricted by registration.
Neither Koumetio nor Nat Phillips were named in Liverpool’s squad for the
group stage and are therefore ineligible, which leaves it likely that either Matip
or Rhys Williams will partner Joe Gomez at the back.
A 19-man outfield group trained at Melwood on Monday afternoon, with James
Milner working separately, but there is no indication at this stage that the vice-
captain is ruled out.
 

Liverpool’s XI vs. Atalanta

Though the word ‘crisis’ has been frequently, and rightly, used to describe
Liverpool’s issues at centre-back of late, ahead of this game there are more
absences in midfield.

With there question marks over Milner’s involvement, and Naby Keita unlikely

to be thrown straight back into the starting side, there are few genuine options
for Klopp to select from.
At the back, Alisson is an obvious pick between the sticks and, if Matip is, like
Keita, not deemed fit enough, Williams should partner Gomez at centre-back
with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
Klopp may be hoping Milner is available, as the 34-year-old could be the best
option to start after another so-so display from Curtis Jones against West
Ham on Saturday.
If Milner is passed fit, he could reprise his familiar midfield role
alongside Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum, while Mohamed
Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino take up places in attack:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, R.Williams, Gomez, Robertson; Henderson,

Milner, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Firmino

However, there is scope for rotation in Lombardy, which could see Klopp
deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation and shuffle his pack in attack.

With Matip back in the mix, the No. 32 could make his first-ever start
alongside Gomez, with Alisson, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson all
effectively guaranteed to feature in defence.
Doubt over Milner’s involvement could see Klopp turn to Henderson and
Wijnaldum as a double pivot, and hand some of his in-form squad players a
chance in the forward line.
Having combined for the winner against West Ham at the weekend,
both Xherdan Shaqiri and Diogo Jota could come in, while Takumi
Minamino could replace the struggling Roberto Firmino up front.
Like Firmino, Sadio Mane could also arguably benefit from a rest, and
starting Mohamed Salah in this 4-2-3-1 would ensure Liverpool still have the
firepower to put Atalanta to the sword: