Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is gunning for a rare start in a Liverpool shirt as the Reds face NK Maribor in Group E of the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool are in desperate need of a win in Group E to recover from a couple of frustrating draws at the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign. And, the Reds’ problems have been heightened, with Sadio Mane, arguably their most influential player, out injured for a considerable amount of time.
Jurgen Klopp does have Joe Gomez returning from suspension. But, the youngster is unlikely to start after doing so against Manchester United over the weekend. In his stead, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be deputised in a spot he has made his own in recent times with some solid displays.
Jurgen Klopp confirmed the goalkeeper for Tuesday, though, in his pre-match conference. The German confirmed that Loris Karius will replace Simon Mignolet in goal for the match. Klopp also added that there are no fresh injury concerns from the Manchester United game – good news going into the Maribor fixture.
“Yes, Loris will start. If nothing happens from here on the way to Maribor, then Loris will start! How it always is after a game, there are a few little things but so far the Doc hasn’t come to me to say one player or another is not available, so we’re pretty much the same. We have a couple of players more here, but it’s the same squad [as for United] plus a few more players here.”
Klopp says Oxlade-Chamberlain will prove doubters wrong in first Champions League start for Liverpool https://t.co/qEaLa9KGY7 pic.twitter.com/8IQp4mH7b4
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) October 17, 2017
Rotation has to be Klopp’s policy for Tuesday, with Andrew Robertson likely to replace Alberto Moreno on the left side of defence. The bone of contention though, will be upfront where the German will have to choose between giving the likes of Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah some much-needed rest and going full throttle in a gamble hoping it pays off.
Given the fact that Tottenham await Liverpool on the weekend, Jurgen Klopp is more likely than not to ring in the changes, which could see Daniel Sturridge or Dominic Solanke being afforded a chance to impress. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain though, will be gunning for a start in his preferable midfield position.
The Englishman had a torrid time in his last outing as a central midfielder and will be hoping to turn some heads with a much better showing on Tuesday.
