Liverpool line-ups for Atalanta as Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota decisions made

Ian Doyle - Konate comes back in defence

It's another airing for the Europa League anthem at Anfield this evening which, while not as good as the Champions League tune, is certainly a marked improvement on the Premier League abomination. Atalanta of Italy are in town for the quarter-final first leg with Liverpool still competing on two fronts. What, then, is Jurgen Klopp to do?

There will be changes, but not in goal. That's Caoimhin Kelleher. Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota may all be back in some form of training, but it's too early for any of them to be considered for a start.

Joe Gomez can come in at right-back with Ibrahima Konate replacing Jarell Quansah as partner to skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Andy Robertson can have another go at left-back.

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Wataru Endo has had a few injury niggles of late but should stay as the defensive midfielder, with in-form Alexis Mac Allister to his left. However, Harvey Elliott merits a start, and should replace Dominik Szoboszlai on the right side of the engine room.

Up top, Cody Gakpo has waited for a start and can begin down the middle, with Mohamed Salah to his right and Luis Diaz on the left. With Szoboszlai, Quansah, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas and probably Alexander-Arnold and Jota on the bench, suddenly there are plenty of senior options.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Elliott, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.

Paul Gorst - Gakpo misses out

Having largely breezed through the Europa League in the lower gears, it's time for Liverpool to up the ante tonight.

With Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Stefan Bajcetic all back in full training, it will be interesting to see who from that quartet - if any - Jurgen Klopp names in his side for this one.

Caoimhin Kelleher has been outstanding for the last two months but Alisson might be due a recall this evening, although Alexander-Arnold can wait it out for Sunday's visit from Crystal Palace. Conor Bradley continues to deputise.

Centrally, Ibrahima Konate returns alongside Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson keeps his place too. The Scotland captain can use the added momentum as he will be important for the final six weeks or so.

Wataru Endo starts at the base of the midfield and there's a place for Harvey Elliott at the expense of Dominik Szoboszlai. Elliott deserves his minutes on the back of some impressive performances off the bench. Alexis Mac Allister starts once more.

Up top, the temptation is to throw Jota back into the mix but I am hanging fire. This might be a good one for Cody Gakpo too, but again I am resisting that temptation. It's Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Elliott, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

Theo Squires - Endo misses out in midfield

Liverpool return to Europa League action on Thursday as they host Atalanta, and could well see their ranks boosted by a number of returning faces.

Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold both took part in full training this week and, after coming through Wednesday’s open session
unscathed, can both take up places on the bench. And they’ll be joined by a couple of well-used faces with it perhaps advisable for Jurgen Klopp to rotate his ranks a little.

Ibrahima Konate replaces Jarell Quansah at centre-back, but the full-backs can stay as they are - with Joe Gomez unfortunate to be limited to bench duty again as a result.

In midfield, Harvey Elliott is deserving of a start so Dominik Szoboszlai can be taken out the firing line. Wataru Endo can have a rest too after suffering a knock which ruled him out against Sheffield United, with Alexis Mac Allister starting at number six as a result.

Curtis Jones can complete the midfield trio after making his own return from injury earlier this month. And in attack, Cody Gakpo comes into the side, with Luis Diaz dropping out so the Dutchman can start in his favoured left-wing position.

My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.