Tonight, Liverpool kick off their Champions League campaign in Naples, as they take on a resurgent Luciano Spalletti-led Napoli side.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will have it all to do as they take on a Serie A side who have conceded just four goals in the league this season, but have tripled that figure when it comes to goals scored.
Liverpool have never won at this venue under Klopp and come into this game with seven outfield injuries in what will be a tough test for Klopp’s mentality monsters.
Addressing his record against Gli Azzurri in a pre-match press conference, as per Liverpool Echo, Klopp said:
“We never won here but we quite frequently qualified for CL final after Napoli was with us in groups. Maybe twice, once with Dortmund. I am a late bloomer, I need longer to achieve. We have to play better than 3 previous games.”
Injury News
As per Liverpool Echo, Klopp said:
“Curtis, when he was out previously he had a stress reaction in a specific bone around the tibia. It was no problem anymore, he trained twice and then he felt it again. Not as bad as the first time but serious enough for him to not be involved in team training again. It’s not very helpful.”
Addressing the other injury concerns in his squad, the German boss said:
“Fabio’s got a massive dead leg which causes the muscles some problems. So there was no chance [to be involved].
“He is walking normally now but there was no chance to train until now. I hope it will get better and he will be ready for the weekend but I am not 100% sure.”
In a more positive update, Klopp added:
“Thiago is back in training, it was his second day today which means he’s ready.
“For how long [tomorrow] we’ll see. Hendo, he had the results of the scan and after the international break I think he’ll be back.”
Predicted XI:
Having dismantled Bournemouth 9-0 at the end of August, Liverpool have failed to continue in that same destructive fashion, scraping a 2-1 win against Newcastle United and drawing 0-0 in an intense Merseyside derby.
Though, they have the opportunity to reset with a Champions League clash against Spalletti’s side.
Liverpool will be looking for a win here to put an end to the trend of failing to win at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and this is the team that we at LIVE4LIVERPOOL believe Klopp will deploy in order to do just that.
4-3-3:
Alisson,
Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson,
Elliott, Fabinho, Milner,
Salah, Firmino, Diaz
Our predicted line-up features three changes from the side that faced Everton just four days ago.
Kostas Tsimikas makes way for Andy Robertson, in a change back to normality.
Veteran midfielder James Milner comes into the fray on behalf of Fabio Carvalho, who may sit out this affair through injury.
And finally, Darwin Nunez makes way for the in-form Roberto Firmino, who sits as the Reds’ top scorer and top assister going into this clash.
But in what will be a tactical change for Klopp, £180k-per-week “workhouse-wizard” Firmino, is also one of the greatest defensive-strikers that the game has ever seen, with his average of 3.08 tackles, 21.99 pressures and 6.51 ball recoveries a notable homage of his time spent as a defender up until the age of 17.
His services may prove integral in a fixture that Klopp will see as a must win.
