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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Orme

Liverpool predicted line-up for Champions League showdown with Rangers amid injury woes

Liverpool travel to Ibrox on Wednesday evening for a game that could potentially go a long way to booking their place in the next round of the Champions League.

The Reds take on Scottish giants Rangers having beaten Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side 2-0 just over a week ago. However, Jurgen Klopp has been handed a few worrying concerns ahead of the match with a handful of his established first-team stars having been ruled out through injury.

In more positive news, though, there could well be a couple of returnees for Liverpool to call upon for the trip north of the border. With that being said, Mirror Football takes a look at the side Klopp could potentially turn to for the Reds’ clash with Rangers.

Defence

Despite Klopp’s headaches over his upcoming selection, there is an easy choice to be made in goal. Brazilian stopper Alisson has started every European game for the Reds so far this season and there is no reason over why that should change this time around.

Moving into the defence and that is where the changes will certainly start. Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip were substituted in the Reds’ weekend defeat to Arsenal due to injuries and are set for spells on the sidelines.

In their respective places, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate could potentially be called upon - the Frenchman having only just made his return to action from a lay-off.

Ibrahima Konate is set for a first start of the season at centre-back (Action Images via Reuters)

What starting XI do you think Jurgen Klopp should play against Rangers? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Scottish left-back Andy Robertson has made his return to training but it appears unlikely that he will recalled into the starting lineup straight away, with Kostas Tsimikas expected to keep his place.

Virgil van Dijk will no doubt be included in the XI to make up the back four despite his troubles so far this season.

Midfield

Whilst Klopp is likely to refresh his defence for Liverpool’s journey to Ibrox, he might well be tempted to do the same to the heart of his midfield. Fabinho started two of the opening three Champions League games this season before dropping out of the starting lineup against Rangers.

The former Monaco star could be recalled by the Reds to add some much-needed bite to the Reds’ midfield. Fabinho could form a trio alongside Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson with both having started against Arsenal at the weekend.

Attack

Like in defence, Klopp will certainly be agonising over a costly injury that has hit his attack. Luis Diaz was withdrawn during the first-half at the Emirates, with it now being confirmed that he is set to be restricted to the sidelines until after the World Cup.

Of course, with the Reds potentially set to field a three-man midfield, there is not a need for a direct replacement for the Colombian.

That does not necessarily mean the decisions over Liverpool's attack end there. Despite his inconsistent form over the opening months of the campaign, Mo Salah should be guaranteed a place in the Liverpool side.

Darwin Nunez scored against Arsenal at the weekend (Getty Images)

The question then remains over whether Klopp should start either Darwin Nunez or Roberto Firmino centrally. Both forwards managed to get on the scoresheet against Arsenal - the Brazilian extending his good form. With Nunez having started each of the last two matches, he appears to be the most likely to be rewarded with a place in the starting XI.

The side should be rounded off with the inclusion of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who will be stationed on the left in the absence of Diaz.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson, Jota, Nunez, Salah

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