Liverpool got past Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday and this win was a huge confidence booster before their Champions League endeavours restart.
The Anfield outfit play the first leg of their Round of 16 game this weekend against Inter as they travel to the San Siro on Wednesday.
Inter have been in great form this season in the Serie A so this will be a pretty evenly matched battle but there’s no denying that Jurgen Klopp’s side will have a slight edge this week.
The German manager has a fully fit squad to choose from, which might look like a very favourable thing but Klopp needs to get his starting XI absolutely right or else Inter can easily nick this one.
Liverpool have not tasted defeat in their previous seven matches, winning six of those. They have also won their previous six UCL matches but they have also conceded in each of their last four European away matches so the players will have to be wary about this.
Liverpool’s team news vs Inter:
The manager has no injury absentees so this is a major boost for the manager. Klopp did not rest too many of his regular first-team players during their win against Burnley so fatigue could be an issue though.
Van Dijk and Joel Matip played in central defence vs Burnley and the pair will also start against Inter. Ibrahima Konate will be pushing for a start but we don’t think he is will get a chance on Wednesday.
The only time Virgil van Dijk has lost a league game at Anfield was when he played against Liverpool for Southampton… pic.twitter.com/1Cwi452f1f
— Liverpool News (@LFCVine) February 14, 2022
Naby Keita started in midfield on Sunday because Jurgen Klopp wanted to rest Thiago but the Spaniard will definitely come back to the side when Liverpool take on Inter.
Henderson has not been in the best of forms but we don’t think the manager will take the risk of dropping him to the bench in midweek. James Milner has also returned from suspension so he too will be available for selection – if needed.
Sadio Mane played 67 minutes against Burnley and since he was involved in the AFCON as well, fatigue could be an issue for the Senegal international. If Klopp feels Mane is not fit then January signing Luis Diaz will start on the left flank.
But if Mane’s fitness is not a concern then he and Mo Salah will be operating on the two flanks.
Diogo Jota missed the Burnley game due to a dead leg but the forward should be fit to feature against Inter so he will replace Roberto Firmino as the centre-forward.
Inter usually play with a 3-5-2 system so the Liverpool manager will have to get his midfield selection absolutely right since whichever team takes charge of the midfield area which likely be the one who will come out on top on Wednesday.
Liverpool predicted line up vs Inter Milan:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-3-3): Alisson; Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Henderson/Naby Keita; Mane/Diaz, Jota, Mo Salah.
Read: Liverpool set to join Chelsea, Man United and Man City in the race to sign this 23Y/O midfielder.
Read: 3-5-2 Inter’s predicted line up vs Liverpool – UCL.
Stats via Fotmob.
