LIVERPOOL VS NAPOLI: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool are in action tonight when they host Luciano Spalletti’s high flying Napoli in an 8pm GMT kickoff. The Reds are coming off the back of a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Leeds and will be aiming to show a spirited response. Here’s the predicted lineup.

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It’s another swift turnaround as tonight’s fixture comes barely seventy two hours after the final whistle on Saturday. With a long absentee list that reads; Matip, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arthur, Diaz and Jota, Jürgen Klopp doesn’t have a lot of options at his disposal to rotate.

Tonight will be a tough test as Napoli are in devastating form this campaign. The 4-1 reverse at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was a snapshot of the quality and sheer confidence the Neopolitans are brimming with.

The manager hinted as much in his press conference when he suggested there wouldn’t be much rotation to his side tonight. The Reds lost consecutive league games for the very first time under the German on Saturday and will want to avoid consecutive defeats at Anfield.

In goal will be Alisson Becker. The Brazilian shot stopper has been left far too exposed by his defence this campaign. He faced seven shots on target at bottom of the table Forest last week, before facing a further six shots against 19th placed Leeds.

It is a theme that needs correcting. Gift this Napoli outfit that many openings and they will punish you. The Italian side managed a whopping nine shots on target in the reverse fixture. It will be interesting to see how the manager tweaks the personnel in his defence to try and stop the visitors.

At right full back, Alexander-Arnold will start again. Backup Calvin Ramsay is ready for minutes and will likely make his debut off the bench. At left back, Tsimikas is expected to come in for Andy Robertson, with the Scot due a breather after three starts over the past week.

In the heart of defence, Ibrahima Konaté is set for a return to the side alongside Van Dijk. He will take the place of Joe Gomez who has put in a number of error strewn performances over the past few weeks. Ibou has World Cup dreams of his own and will be keen to impress.

In midfield, the gaffer has opted for a diamond setup recently as he tweaks his formation to suit the players he has available. At the base of the diamond is likely to be the skipper. He was restricted to just half an hour on Wednesday night and should return to the XI if fit.

If the skipper has picked up a knock (he did train away from the group yesterday), then Fabinho will take up the role. The manager has been exasperated with ‘Flaco’ recently and has made his discontent known in the form of verbal rollickings in-game.

We can expect to see Milner and Thiago either side of the diamond. The vice captain took media duties in the pre-match press conference with that serving as a strong hint of his inclusion tonight. Harvey Elliott looked off the pace last time out and is in dire need of a rest.

At the tip of the diamond, it’s a straight choice between Firmino and Carvalho. This would be Bobby’s seventh start in a matter of 20 days. The workload has taken its toll, as a previously prolific Bobby has now quietly gone five games without a goal or assist.

With a trip to Spurs at the weekend, this could be the opportunity to preserve the 31 year old. Carvalho would then come in and play in what is his best position for the very first time since his switch from Fulham. He made a name for himself in the number ten role behind Mitrovic.

The 20 year old has struggled on the left wing recently, with his slight build seeing him bullied by bigger markers. Playing in a free role and picking up pockets in the half spaces could get the best out of him. Not to mention the fact that he’ll have two players ahead of him to combine with.

Upfront, there is no room to manouvre. Salah and Darwin have to go again with no one in reserve to come in for either man. It is a very light squad, and the decision to not strengthen has been proven to be folly but that’s a discussion for another day.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Henderson, Milner, Thiago, Carvalho, Darwin, Salah.

Subs: Kelleher, Adrian, Ramsay, Gomez, Phillips, Robertson, Bajcetic, Fabinho, Jones, Elliott, Firmino.