Liverpool hit the road this week in order to take on Porto in the second-leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Reds won the first leg 2-0 at Anfield but Jurgen Klopp’s men were given quite the scare by Porto. Eventually, the Reds did manage to hold onto their lead but if the first leg performance is anything to go by then surely, Liverpool cannot take things lightly on Wednesday.
The Merseyside outfit are fresh out of a win vs Chelsea in the league meaning a lot of the players who will start the Champions League clash would be playing their second game in just three days and Porto are hoping that fatigue will play a spoiler for Liverpool during the match.
Liverpool news vs Porto:
Jurgen Klopp is expected to make a few rotations to his first-team squad but the manager will be happy that Robertson is returning back from suspension and the Scott will take up his place at left-back meaning James Milner will start on the bench.
Virgil Van Dijk will start in central defence and given that Klopp has chosen to rotate Matip and Lovren as the Dutchman’s partner, it should be Dejan Lovren who will play vs Porto since Joel Matip started during the 2-0 win vs Chelsea.
Jordan Henderson came off with a knock in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea but after the match, the Liverpool boss made it clear that his captain was fine which means the England international will start in midfield alongside Fabinho.
Naby Keita got a starting role vs Chelsea on Sunday and the former Bundesliga man might very well drop back to the bench on Wednesday to make way for Wijnaldum.
The front three of Mane, Salah and Firmino will remain unchanged as Jurgen Klopp has rarely tinkered with his front-three especially during key games.
Sturridge and Origi will start on the bench and one of them might come on as a substitute if Liverpool manage to wrap up the tie early on.
Liverpool news: Reds’ predicted line-up
First XI: Alisson, Trent Alexander Arnold, Van Dijk, Dejan Lovren, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino.
