Mohamed Salah will be hoping to play himself back into form when Liverpool face Bundesliga side RB Salzburg in the Champions League. Jurgen Klopp’s side dropped points to Napoli on the opening day and will be hoping for an improvement at Anfield. The game is a must-win for the European Champions, who will be eager to pick up all three points.
Mohamed Salah Hoping to Rediscover Goal-Scoring Form
Salah set to start
Although Divock Origi impressed off the bench against Sheffield United, there is no doubt that the Reds’ usual front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino will start at Anfield. The game is too important to Klopp’s side to provide the fringe attackers with game time, particularly as they still have no points after losing to Napoli in the opening round of fixtures.
The front three haven’t been at their best of late and will be hoping to rediscover some goal-scoring form against Salzburg. Both Mane and Salah were guilty of missing sitters against the Blades and will be hoping to get on the scoresheet on Wednesday.
Rotation in Midfield
Though the game is of considerable importance to Liverpool, changes will still be necessary to keep the team fresh. Fabinho’s importance to the side means that he should be starting, though there can be changes in front of him.
Neither Georginio Wijnaldum nor Jordan Henderson particularly impressed against Sheffield United, despite the former scoring the winner after Dean Henderson’s howler. There is enough quality depth in the squad to rotate and still field a strong team. All three of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will be hoping for a start in midweek. The latter will especially be hoping for this, given that RB Salzburg are one of his former clubs.
Adrian to Continue in Goal
After keeping their second clean sheet of the season against Sheffield United, the defensive unit of Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold will all retain their places. Adrian will also continue between the sticks, despite Alisson’s return to full team training. Alisson is not expected to be given the all-clear to play until after the October international break.
The defence will be hoping to build on the foundations they laid at the weekend and record another clean sheet. Bench duty again for Joe Gomez seems harsh given his talent, though Matip and van Dijk have been imperious. An injury to either will be his best route back into the side at the moment, though he will not be wishing for this.
Predicted XI: Adrian; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson; Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita; Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah
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