Loris Karius is set to take his place in goal for Liverpool as the Reds prepare to host Sevilla to kick off their 2017-18 UEFA Champions League campaign.
Liverpool play hosts to Sevilla to kick off their 2017-18 UEFA Champions League campaign. And the Reds are almost full-strength, with Jurgen Klopp missing just two key players – Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne continue to be sidelined with their respective injuries.
Klopp is sure to make atleast one change to the lineup that lost 5-0 to Manchester City over the weekend, confirming that Loris Karius is set to start in goal, replacing Simon Mignolet. The German did impress in the 4-0 win over Arsenal and it will be interesting to see if he is able to put on another solid display on Wednesday.
The core attention, though, is towards Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian playmaker was left out of the matchday squad against City and while Jurgen Klopp iterated that the player is ‘fit and healthy’, he remained coy on his participation on Wednesday, refusing to reveal anything in his pre-match conference.
Jürgen Klopp was quizzed on Philippe Coutinho’s potential involvement in tomorrow’s game.
Read his response here: https://t.co/M9U0EVB209 pic.twitter.com/QTsmYTQvyT
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 12, 2017
“I could [give you an idea], but I’m sure all the Liverpool supporters around the world are ready to wait another 24 hours.”
Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Mohamed Salah was indeed sent home on Tuesday as a precaution to nurse his illness and is likely to take part on Wednesday, be it as a player in the starting eleven or as a substitute.
“It should not be that serious. In this moment we expect him back tomorrow morning for normal training.”
Sadio Mane, meanwhile, is a near-guaranteed starter, with the player set to miss the upcoming weekend as part of their three-match ban for receiving a kick on Ederson’s face in the game against Manchester City, which earned him a red card.
Liverpool were quickly dismantled after the red card and Mane would be looking to redeem himself with a dominant display on Wednesday.
#LFC news
– Coutinho in squad for Sevilla
– Klopp hopeful Salah will be available
– Karius to start
– Mane appeal upheld— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) September 12, 2017
For Sevilla, manager Eduardo Berizzo has not included midfielder Johannes Geis and forward Nolito, who is recuperating from his hamstring problem, in his travelling squad while keeper David Soria is out with a finger injury.
