Liverpool Predicted XI: Jurgen Klopp’s possible starting line-up for Champions League match against Ajax

Liverpool kick off their 2020/21 Champions League campaign with a tricky looking trip to Ajax.

After losing to Atletico Madrid in the second round last season, Jurgen Klopp’s side will be aiming to lift the trophy just like they did in 2019 – when they defeated Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.

However, the Premier League champions have experienced a topsy-turvy start to this season.

The Reds won their opening three league matches but were thrashed 7-2 at Aston Villa and held 2-2 at Merseyside rivals Everton on Saturday after a late Jordan Henderson goal was ruled out by VAR.

Additionally,  Klopp’s side have also lost two penalty shootouts to Arsenal in both the Community Shield and League Cup.

With injuries and absences due to Covid-19 also having struck the Anfield club this term, there’s been plenty of shuffling going on when it comes to team selection.

So which players will the German boss task with getting a positive result in Amsterdam?

Here we predict Klopp’s starting XI for Liverpool’s trip to Ajax…

Goalkeeper: With first-choice Alisson still sidelined, Adrian will continue to deputise between the sticks for the Reds. The Spaniard actually played in Liverpool’s last Champions League match in which his sloppy kick led to an Atletico Madrid goal when the Reds were eliminated back in March. This means that Irish stopper Caoimhin Kelleher will continue to add cover on the bench.

Defenders: The big news is that the Reds will have to do without Virgil van Dijk for quite some time after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Everton due to Jordan Pickford’s questionable challenge. With only five clean sheets kept in their previous 23 matches, things were not exactly rosy defensively, but there’s no question that the Dutchman will be sorely missed. Added to that, Joel Matip is also set to miss the trip to Ajax after picking up an injury against Everton, meaning Joe Gomez is expected to partner Fabinho at the heart of the backline. In better news, star full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will continue in their normal roles.

Midfielders: In another blow for the Reds, Thiago’s Champions League debut for Liverpool will have to wait as he picked up a knee injury at Everton. This means that Naby Keita could come into the XI to play alongside Jordan Henderson. Fabinho moving back to play centre-back means that Georginio Wijnaldum should also return to the midfield after having been named as a substitute in the Merseyside derby.

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Forwards: If there’s been setbacks for Klopp in the goalkeeping, defence and midfield departments, then the German will be even more delighted to know that his fearsome front-three are all fit and available. Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have contributed 52 Champions League goals in their time at Liverpool and will be looked upon again to provide the firepower in Amsterdam.

Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Gomez, Robertson; Keita, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.