Liverpool face anxious wait over two players for Atalanta with six changes possible

Liverpool's Premier League title run-in struck a bump in the road when they were held at bitter North West rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah's 23nd goal of the season when converting a late penalty earned the Reds a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford that means they are now second in the table on goal difference behind leaders Arsenal.

Liverpool now turn their attentions to the Europa League with a quarter-final first leg against Atalanta at home on Thursday. And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action.

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Konate decision

While there has been some rotation since the international break from Liverpool, it hasn't been significant. That, though, could change for the Atalanta game.

Caoimhin Kelleher has featured in all bar one Europa League game this season and remains in goal ahead of Adrian with Alisson Becker still injured. The game has perhaps come too early for Trent Alexander-Arnold, although Klopp has stated the vice-captain should return to parts of team training this week. That leaves Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez as the options at right-back.

On the other flank, Kostas Tsimikas has been waiting patiently for minutes having made just one start since returning from injury two months, with Andy Robertson again established as the first choice.

The versatile Gomez is another alternative and could also feature at centre-back, although Ibrahima Konate - benched at United - is primed to return with Jarell Quansah having partnered Virgil van Dijk in four of the last six games. Joel Matip is out for the season and not in the Europa League squad.

Endo out?

The engine room has seen only one change in the last four games and is therefore ripe for rotation. Perhaps the most likely player to come in is Harvey Elliott, who has been excellent in recent outings from the bench and could replace Dominik Szoboszlai on the right side.

After two substitute outings, Curtis Jones is closing on a first start after injury and would challenge Ryan Gravenberch for Alexis Mac Allister's place on the left of the triumvirate should the Argentine be rested. Mac Allister could also return to the defensive midfield role with Wataru Endo having been absent against Sheffield United last midweek with a knock that appeared to still be affecting him on Sunday.

Youngsters Bobby Clark and James McConnell have both featured in the Europa League this season, but did not make the bench at Old Trafford. Thiago Alcantara is out for the season and Stefan Bajcetic is yet to return to action.

Jota wait

As with Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota could be back working with the full squad this week but won't be considered for a start against Atalanta. Instead, the main question regards a probable recall for Cody Gakpo and who drops out, with both Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz having featured heavily of late down the middle and on the left respectively.

Mohamed Salah is still finding full match sharpness after his spells out with Gakpo capable of featuring on the right, although Elliott would be a more likely starter there. Kaide Gordon has made the last five Europa League squads but Ben Doak remains out. Fellow youngsters Jayden Danns and Mateusz Musialowski are other options.