Liverpool are aiming to maintain their perfect record in the Champions League this season as they head to face RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
The Reds have so far faced exclusively Italian opposition in Europe so far, beating both AC Milan and Bologna.
Next up for Liverpool is a German double-header as matchday three sees them take on Leipzig, before Xabi Alonso makes his return to Anfield with Bayer Leverkusen on matchday four.
Arne Slot will not be looking too far ahead to that meeting with Alonso just yet, though. With a trip to Arsenal to come in the Premier League on Sunday, the Liverpool head coach may need to rotate a little on Wednesday.
And with that in mind, here’s how we think Slot will line Liverpool up for his third Champions League game in charge.
Defence
After Caoimhin Kelleher played in the Europa League last season, Alisson Becker was supposed to return in Europe this season. But with Alisson now injured, Kelleher will continue to get his chance.
Liverpool have an injury problem at right-back, too. Conor Bradley is set to miss a few weeks meaning Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely go again.
At centre-back it feels probable that Ibrahima Konate’s load will be managed, with Jarell Quansah first in line to partner Virgil van Dijk.
And left-back Slot has shown a desire to rotate Andy Robertson where possible. With Arsenal on the horizon we think the Dutchman will take this as a chance to play Kostas Tsimikas instead.
Midfield
Still missing Harvey Elliott, Liverpool’s midfield suddenly looks a little bit light heading into such an intense round of fixtures.
Curtis Jones was brilliant against Chelsea, though, and we think the 23-year-old is the only one absolutely certain to start against RB Leipzig.
Elsewhere, all three of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch could really do with a rest.
Given that Mac Allister only came off the bench on Sunday while the other two played the full game, though, we think the Argentine is the one who will get the nod in Germany.
Attack
As a result of needing to keep players fit and ready for Arsenal, we think Slot’s dwindling midfield options will see him make the drastic choice to play only two midfielders against Leipzig.
This should see an extra player added to the attack, with Cody Gakpo probably the most likely to play a hybrid version of Szoboszlai’s No.10 role.
Injury to Diogo Jota means Darwin Nunez will be the central striker, while Federico Chiesa is also not ready to play yet.
Consequently, Slot has little option to go with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz on the wings in what looks like a very attacking line-up for Liverpool.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs RB Leipzig: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez, Diaz
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