Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Virgil van Dijk is in fine shape, despite a rib issue, as Liverpool take on Napoli in the Champions League.
Liverpool will look to bounce back to winning ways after a week that could be chalked down as a reality check that there is still room for improvement within their current squad. Napoli will not be an easy task however, with Jurgen Klopp also likely to ring in a few changes to the lineup.
Alisson Becker and Joe Gomez though, should retain their place at the back, as should Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson. There were concerns raised over the fitness of Virgil van Dijk, who had a potential rib injury after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
But, the defender has travelled with the squad and is fit, according to Klopp, who highlighted in his pre-match conference that, despite a few players receiving knocks, there is no major injury issue to emerge from the last week.
“We had all the usual knocks, but everything is fine – and nothing more – so that’s good. Virgil is fine.”
In midfield, Naby Keita should come into the lineup, having been benched for the 1-1 draw against Chelsea during the weekend. James Milner and Fabinho should accompany the former RB Leipzig midfielder. The former has been celestial in the Champions League for a season and more now and Klopp will be hoping for more of the same from the veteran.
Daniel Sturridge might have played his way into a start on Wednesday. The striker was the difference against Chelsea during the weekend and should come into the lineup, with Sadio Mane likely to be rested after the speedster started both their fixtures against Chelsea last week.
Mohamed Salah struggled during the weekend and is likely to also be rested in favour of Xherdan Shaqiri. Roberto Firmino should retain his place in the starting eleven.
Jurgen Klopp hinted that there could be changes in the offing.
“In the moment it is all fine and we have to use it. We will see, maybe we will make one or two changes or whatever – maybe more – but it’s all about this game. It’s the only way I understand it. We are in good shape, we have good rhythm and that’s something we have to use so let’s try our best.”
“It’s not that you can say, ‘OK, Champions League in Naples, I will make five or six changes’ and then for City you make six changes again, then who are the other six because the six that played already, they cannot play on Sunday… it’s difficult really. We will think about this game and then we will see who we can use for City.”
Divock Origi has also recovered but is likely to sit the tie out or be named on the bench, at the most.
