Liverpool are the hunt for their first win in the Champions League this season when they take on Spartak Moscow in Russia.
The Reds drew their opening group game 2-2 against Sevilla, but have the opportunity to stamp their authority on Group E with an impressive away win.
Jurgen Klopp has already been regularly rotating his starting eleven this season, but this game should be his priority with Newcastle United at the weekend.
Still, expect a few changes to the eleven with Spartak in a questionable run of form and missing key players.
Defence
Loris Karius is expected to resume his Champions League duties with Klopp making it crystal clear the German is the man between the sticks for Liverpool’s European campaign.
Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip should continue in defence, but Klopp may be tempted to bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold with Joe Gomez suspended.
Alberto Moreno has somehow managed to revive a Liverpool career that looked ready for cremation and should start on the opposite wing.
Klopp should keep the changes in defence to a minimum with Liverpool in desperate need of some consistency at the back. The Reds have conceded 12 goals in their last five games.
Midfield
Klopp has had very little issues with his midfield aside from the fact they have no serious interest in shielding a fragile back four for 90 minutes.
There is an opportunity for Klopp to play his first-choice midfield (minus Adam Lallana) though with Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all available for selection for the first time this season.
Liverpool fans would love to see their ‘fab four’ in action for the first time and after throwing away three points against Sevilla, Klopp may feel they need a big win.
It would mean Georginio Wijnaldum would drop out of the side. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be hoping for a look in, but with all of Klopp’s favourites fit, it is unlikely he will start the game.
Attack
Firmino plays as a No.9 these days and is firmly established as Klopp’s No.1 ‘striker’.
The Brazilian has been heavily involved in all things good about Liverpool this season and has already bagged four goals and provided three assists.
But, Daniel Sturridge was massively impressive when he came on against Leicester City and should run riot with Salah, Mane and Coutinho providing the ammunition.
It may be a case of who Klopp feels would put in the better defensive shift when needed.
Klopp tends to trust Firmino in all situations, but with Newcastle on Sunday, the Brazilian could be the one who drops out to keep some firepower for the weekend.
How Liverpool should line up…
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