Predicted Liverpool lineup against Inter Milan: Thiago in for Henderson; Jota, Konate start

Trabzonspor eyeing late move for Thiago Alcantara.

Thiago Alcantara is one of the finest midfielders of his generation. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate are in line to start, while Thiago Alcantara should replace Jordan Henderson when Liverpool face Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Liverpool will be aiming to take a step closer towards qualifying for the next stage of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League when they lock horns with Inter Milan in the Round of 16 first leg tie at San Siro.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a fully-fit squad at his disposal ahead of the trip to Milan, with captain Jordan Henderson recovering from a knock he picked up against Burnley over the weekend and Divock Origi also returning. 

Providing an update on Henderson in his presser, Klopp said, “Hendo is fine. He got a knock on his knee and today was second-day recovery for a lot of players like for him as well, so it was not the longest session for him. But apart from that, there are no issues really. He was back last week and the knee in the game was definitely not comfortable, it’s a proper wound, you can really see it – it looks like lips, it should not be there. Apart from that, he is fine.”

The Liverpool head coach could make a few alterations to the side that narrowly beat Burnley in the Premier League at the weekend. However, no change is expected in goal, with Alisson Becker the undisputed starter between the sticks for the English heavyweights. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are obvious picks in the full-back slots.

Defensive mainstay Virgil van Dijk is also a certainty to feature from the get-go, but he could be in for a change of partners on Wednesday. Ibrahima Konate is likely to come into the lineup in place of Joel Matip at the heart of the Liverpool backline.

Despite Henderson being fit, Klopp is likely to start Thiago Alcantara in place of the Liverpool captain, with the Spaniard impressing in the last game after coming on. Fabinho should occupy the base of the midfield with Naby Keita lining up as the third central midfielder.

In attack, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are pretty much guaranteed to feature from the start for Liverpool against Inter Milan. However, Roberto Firmino is likely to be axed after an ineffective display at the weekend. In his place, Diogo Jota is set to start in the centre-forward role, while winter signing Luis Diaz will be an option from the bench.

Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Thiago, Fabinho, Keita, Salah, Jota, Mane

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