Liverpool line-ups as Ben Doak and Caoimhin Kelleher decisions made with two Europa League starts expected
Liverpool take on Union Saint-Gilloise tonight in the Europa League and Jurgen Klopp is once again likely to rotate his squad.
The Reds made 11 changes in their opening European match of the campaign, which ended in a 3-1 victory at LASK in Austria.
But who will Klopp choose in his side this evening? Our writers have their say:
Paul Gorst: Victory for Liverpool this evening will put them in a commanding position in Group E as Jurgen Klopp looks to go about securing a passage to the knockout stages as early as possible in the Europa League.
But with a difficult-looking trip to Brighton to come on Sunday, it will be interesting to see how strong Klopp goes against Union Saint-Gilloise this evening. Changes are expected.
Caoimhin Kelleher would have come in for Alisson Becker in goal had he not picked up a knock and with Trent Alexander-Arnold on pre-match media duties on Wednesday, it's a safe bet to suggest the No.66 will return to the fold. At the back, it might be a good opportunity to give Jarell Quansah the nod alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Kostas Tsimikas can deputise for Andy Robertson at left-back.
In midfield, Wataru Endo can play that holding role with Harvey Elliott on the right side of the two No.8 positions. With Curtis Jones suspended for Sunday, it might be a good chance to give him minutes against the Belgian side given he will be sidelined for Premier League action for the next few games.
Up top, Ben Doak can once more get some minutes under his belt. The absence of Cody Gakpo is not ideal so Darwin Nunez can lead the line and Diogo Jota can play down the left given he will also be suspended against Brighton.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Jones; Doak, Nunez, Jota.
Ian Doyle: The Europa League returns to Anfield for the first time since 2016. But nobody is talking about that, are they?
But Liverpool are just going to have to crack on with the visit of Union Saint-Gilloise in their second group game. And the Belgians will be tough nut to crack given their recent form.
That, though, isn't going to stop Jurgen KlopSop from making wholesale changes, if perhaps not as many as the full 11 in Austria last month.
Caoimhin Kelleher misses out after a knock, and Kostas Tsimikas can be at left-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold, though, needs minutes and should be the right-back. Ibrahima Konate, too, merits inclusion, and I'd stick with Virgil van Dijk as the other centre-back.
Curtis Jones has to start in midfield, given he's out the next three Premier League matches. Wataru Endo requires more exposure in the first team, and Harvey Elliott deserves a start.
Up front, Diogo Jota's incoming ban means he should line up on the left, with Darwin Nunez down the middle. And again I'd go with Ben Doak on the right. Mohamed Salah can be among the many players emerging from the bench.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Jones; Doak, Nunez, Jota.
Theo Squires: While the fallout from Liverpool’s controversial defeat to Tottenham won’t be going away anytime soon, the Reds are back in action on Thursday. Hosting Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League, expect widespread changes from Jurgen Klopp once again.
Given both Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota are suspended for Sunday’s trip to Brighton after getting sent off against Spurs, both can start this one. For the midfielder, the Europa League offers his only chance of game-time until next month.
Jones can line up in the deeper midfield role, with Wataru Endo held back for substitute action ahead of starting on the South Coast at his team-mate’s expense at the weekend. Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch can both return in the advanced midfield roles.
Jota starts on the left of attack with Darwin Nunez, an unused substitute against Tottenham starting down in the middle in place of the injured Cody Gakpo. Ben Doak once again starts on the right as Mohamed Salah gets a rest.
Having made his return from injury in the capital, Trent Alexander-Arnold can come into the starting XI and captain Liverpool for this one, with Kostas Tsimikas taking Andy Robertson’s place on the opposing flank. Ibrahima Konate returns at centre-back, while Jarell Quansah can line up alongside him after an encouraging start to his Reds career.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Elliott, Jones, Gravenberch; Doak, Nunez, Jota.
Brendan McGilligan: Liverpool play their first game following the controversial weekend and the bitter disappointment of losing 2-1 to Spurs in the manner that they did. Jurgen Klopp will look to this Europa League tie against Union Saint-Gilloise to bring back the confidence that the side had been oozing with prior to the away game to Tottenham.
The Reds have a massive away game against Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend, and so they will likely rest a few players in preparation for the fixture.
In defence Trent Alexander Arnold is starting his first game following his injury to get minutes back into his legs. Joel Matip and Jarell Quansah will partner each other in centre back, with Konstantinos Tsimikas starting on the left.
It is unlikely that Alexis Mac Allister will start this game against his brother, Kevin Mac Allister, a player who plays his football for the Belgians. The Liverpool midfield will likely see Wataru Endō holding, along with Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones to either side of him, with Jones starting due to the three-game ban he has in the Premier League.
Klopp will likely call upon Ben Doak to start on the right of the front three, having looked threatening in each of his performances thus far this campaign, with Darwin Nunez leading the line, and similar to Jones, Diogo Jota will start from the left due to his red card at the weekend against Spurs.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Matip, Tsimikas; Endo, Elliott, Jones, Doak, Nunez, Jota.
