Last year’s beaten finalists Liverpool will look to right the wrongs when they get their 2022/23 European journey underway against Napoli on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men haven’t looked the same since falling to Real Madrid, with a 9-0 mauling of Bournemouth the only positive in an otherwise thoroughly underwhelming start to the Premier League season.
With injuries still wreaking havoc, here’s how the boss could set up.
GK: Alisson – The stopper has managed just two clean sheets this season and will do well to add to that here.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – May get an easier run of things as Hirving Lozano continues to be checked following a head injury at the weekend.
CB: Joel Matip – Given a nice rest last time out against Everton, Matip should be ready to return to the starting lineup here.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Still not looking like himself this season and might have a tough time of things up against Victor Osimhen.
LB: Andy Robertson – Another who started the Everton game on the bench, Robertson’s legs will have appreciated the chance to rest for an hour.
DM: Fabinho – The anchor man needs to be at his best to ensure Napoli don’t win the midfield battle.
CM: Harvey Elliott – Injuries mean young Elliott may have to keep his place in the starting lineup, which is no problem for Klopp as he has plenty of faith in the teenager.
CM: Arthur – Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all unavailable, while there are doubts over the fitness of Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones and Thiago, so it may be time for a debut.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Salah has just two goals in nine meetings with Napoli across his time with Roma and Liverpool.
ST: Darwin Nunez – Up against another expensive young striker in Osimhen, it will be fascinating to see who comes out on top of that battle. Two of the best in the business.
LW: Luis Diaz – In each of his three years in the Champions League, Diaz has recorded two goals. Liverpool may need that figure to up with Sadio Mane gone and now would be a great time for the Colombian to flourish.
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