Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Atalanta

Liverpool entertain Atalanta at Anfield for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday evening.

The Reds are heading into this fixture off the back of a pulsating 2-2 away draw with arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday. The result at Old Trafford saw them slip to second in the table behind Arsenal on goal difference after 31 Premier League games.

The 2-2 draw with Man United was a major blow to the Merseyside club’s title hopes, so Jurgen Klopp and Co will be hoping to bounce back strongly and beat Atalanta, who are flying to England on the back of two consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker and Stefan Bajcetic to full training earlier this week. However, a decision has not been made on whether they will be involved against Atalanta in midweek. Still, Bajcetic is likely to play for the Under-21s before featuring for the senior team.

Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Atalanta (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper

With Alisson Becker still on the comeback trail from injury, Caoimhin Kelleher should start in goal for the Reds. He will need to be at his best to keep a clean sheet against a dangerous Atalanta side.

Defence

Due to games coming thick and fast, Jurgen Klopp will likely rotate his squad on Thursday evening. Joe Gomez could come in at right-back, considering Conor Bradley has started all three games since the international break. Kostas Tsimikas may get the nod ahead of Andy Robertson at left-back.

Ibrahima Konate is expected to return to the starting XI after being an unused substitute against Man United. The Frenchman should partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence, with Jarrell Quansah dropping to the bench.

Midfield

Wataru Endo should keep his spot in the starting XI, providing protection to the backline. Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones could join the Japanese in the Liverpool engine room. The triumvirate will aim to dictate the tempo of play, recycle possession and break up Atalanta’s attacking moves.

Having started against Man United on Sunday, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will drop to the bench and hope to make an impact in the second half of the game.

Attack

Harvey Elliot could take up the right-wing spot, replacing Mohamed Salah in the starting XI. Cody Gakpo is expected to get an opportunity to impress off the left, with Darwin Nunez leading the Liverpool attack once again and looking to get back amongst the goals after firing a blank against Man United.

Salah and Diaz could be introduced at some point in the second half, as Liverpool look to take an advantage in the first leg against Atalanta before heading to Bergamo next week.