Predicted Liverpool lineup against Sparta Prague: Gakpo to return; four youngsters to start

Cody Gakpo will return to the Liverpool starting lineup against Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg on Thursday.

Liverpool managed to win the first leg 5-1 and will be fairly confident of grinding out another positive result when they welcome Sparta Prague to Anfield on Thursday evening, despite making wholesale changes to the starting eleven.

Joel Matip is ruled out for the remainder of the season with ACL damage. Alisson Becker will return next month from his hamstring injury, while Diogo Jota is also expected back next month after damaging his MCL. Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch are expected to return after the international break.

Thiago Alcantara has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a thigh injury. Stefan Bajcetic and Ibrahima Konate are back in training, but they are unlikely to be risked for this game.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Mohamed Salah is fit enough to start the game, and it remains to be seen whether the German manager is willing to give him a run out ahead of the crucial weekend clash against Manchester United.

Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to start in goal for Liverpool. A back four of Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Jarrell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas should be deployed as the Reds plan to field a heavily rotated team.

In the midfield, Wataru Endo will be the defensive midfielder, and he will look to protect the defensive unit and break down opposition attacks. James McConnell and Bobby Clark will also start alongside him, and they will look to add control and creativity to the team. Cody Gakpo will lead the line, with Lewis Koumas and Harvey Elliott in the wide areas.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas; McConnell, Endo, Clark; Elliott, Gakpo, Koumas