Liverpool’s next Champions League match is against Napoli, and Jurgen Klopp faces some selection quandaries.
Liverpool earned another Premier League point on Saturday with a goalless draw against Everton.
The Reds hit the crossbar three times but couldn’t beat Jordan Pickford, resulting in their ninth draw in their last 11 visits to Goodison Park. Liverpool will now look to kick off their Champions League group stage against Napoli on Wednesday evening.
And now we look ahead to see what changes Jurgen Klopp might make when his team returns to action.
Liverpool went through four different defensive set-ups against Everton at the weekend as they sought the best way to cover for their lack of options in midfield while giving some players a much-needed rest.
Andy Robertson was one such player, although he came on for Kostas Tsimikas after an hour and seems primed to step in to replace the Greece international.
Joel Matip returned to action as a late substitute and could be an option at center-back, whether to give Virgil van Dijk a rest or, as against Everton, step in alongside the Dutchman with Joe Gomez moving to right-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been substituted in the last two games and could be due a rest, with either Gomez or James Milner the alternatives. Centre-back Nat Phillips is the other available senior defender.
Arthur in the running
Neither Naby Keita nor Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been included in the Champions League squad for the group stage, pointing to the extent of their injuries.
And with Jordan Henderson currently out, there’s not much room for change for Klopp in the engine room, although Thiago Alcantara could be among the substitutes given his expected return to training this week after a month out.
Fabio Carvalho suffered a dead leg at Goodison and is a doubt, arguably leaving Klopp to pick three from Fabinho, Milner, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones – not on the bench at the weekend – and loan signing Arthur Melo, who hasn’t played a competitive game since May 11.
Roberto Firmino was introduced into midfield to good effect on Saturday but it would be a major surprise if the Brazilian starts there in Italy. Young defensive midfielder Stefan Bajcetic could be in the traveling squad.
Jota primed
Klopp said it “feels like Christmas” now that he has five attacking options from which to choose, and he may be tempted to rotate in Naples.
