Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is likely to return to the starting lineup, for their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie against Bayern Munich.
Liverpool travel to Germany as they gear up to take on Bayern Munich on Wednesday night at the Allianz Arena, with qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League at stake.
Having been held to a goalless draw in the first leg at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side will have their task cut out on Wednesday, as they aim to beat the Bavarian giants in their own backyard and join fellow Premier League sides Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the final eight of the competition.
Coming into the game after a 4-2 win over Burnley at the weekend, there had been a slight concern for Liverpool over the availability of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had to come off with an injury against the Clarets.
However, manager Klopp has declared that the Englishman should be fit and available for the key contest on Wednesday. Dejan Lovren, however, is still not ready to play the full ninety minutes, having recovered from his hamstring problem.
“It looks good. He [Alexander-Arnold] had a bit of a problem obviously but it should not be a major concern,” Klopp told the club’s official website ahead of the game. “He [Lovren] trained in a normal way this morning and he is an option. To play 90 minutes might be a bit much but we will see.”
Alexander-Arnold should start at right-back for Liverpool, with Andrew Robertson set to continue at on the opposite flank. With Lovren not fully ready for a return yet, Joel Matip should get the nod once again alongside Virgil van Dijk, who will be available for selection, after having missed the first leg with a suspension.
The midfield department is likely to give Klopp some selection headaches heading into Wednesday night’s encounter. Naby Keita has been ruled out of the game with an injury, but James Milner has travelled with the squad despite carrying a slight muscle problem.
Adam Lallana made a solid impression after starting against Burnley on Sunday, staking a claim for inclusion against Bayern. However, captain Jordan Henderson, who did not start against the Clarets, is likely to get the nod over his compatriot, having done brilliantly in the first leg against Die Roten.
Georginio Wijnaldum has looked a bit tired recently. But, given the value that he brings to the team, Klopp is unlikely to drop him for the big game. Fabinho, who started the first leg at the heart of the Liverpool defence, will slot in as the holding midfielder at the Allianz Arena.
The attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane pick themselves for the Merseyside giants, although they will need to be far more clinical than they were at home last month.
