Our Liverpool writers weigh in on the starting lineup for tonight’s Europa League matchup against Atalanta.
Paul Gorst: The big guns return
Jurgen Klopp’s team has to perform well tonight if they are to have any chance of extending their current winning streak to nine games and securing a spot in the semifinals.
The reasons for Liverpool’s poor recent performance have been somewhat mitigated, almost to the point of being an excuse, but Klopp now has few genuine injury concerns, so it’s time to give it your all in the next five weeks.
Trent Alexander-Arnold starts at right back for the first time since February, and Alisson Becker makes his comeback to European action in goal. This evening in Bergamo, Andy Robertson will make his debut with Virgil van Dijk, while Ibrahima Konate could begin to regain form. On paper, the Reds have
Wataru Endo starts in midfield, followed by Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai up front. The Hungarian in particular has been a little off lately, but this is support for him to attempt to get back to his early season form when it matters most.
Darwin Nunez is replaced in my frontline by Diogo Jota. If Liverpool needs a goal or two, and with three needed in the full 90 minutes, the Uruguayan striker might be invaluable coming off the bench.
Alisson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Endo, Jota, Diaz, Van Dijk, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, and Salah make up my team.
Gakpo receives the not-in-attack from Ian Doyle
For Liverpool tonight, it’s definitely mission unlikely, if not mission impossible.
And it will take something exceptional for the Reds to overcome Atalanta in the Europa League quarterfinal match in Italy.
So what should Jurgen Klopp do?
It’s time to start strong and provide new legs to the starting lineup in addition to bench options.
Alisson Becker will start in goal, while Andy Robertson will play left back and Trent Alexander-Arnold will play right back. Jarell Quansah is ready to start with Virgil van Dijk at center back as well.
Wataru Endo needs a break in midfield so that Alexis Mac Allister can go up to the number six spot. Curtis Jones is on the left of the triad, and Harvey Elliott may bring legs to the right.
Furthermore, Diogo Jota can start in the middle, Cody Gakpo can enter on the left, and Mohamed Salah can begin on the right.
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Elliott, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo are the members of my team (4-3-3)
Salah and Nunez are benched in Theo Squires’ aggressive lineup.
After losing to Atalanta 3-0 at Anfield last week, Liverpool needs a miracle to advance in the Europa League when they play in Bergamo.
They must have objectives, be clinical, and possess energy. And they have to be far superior than what they have been these past few weeks!
Several players appear fatigued and out of form, so I’m switching things up and going with an attacking lineup. After all, the Reds have nothing to lose at this stage.
After his long-awaited comeback from injury, Diogo Jota can start for the first time, while Cody Gakpo also gets into the starting lineup thanks to his recent impressive performances.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, who are currently out of form, are benched but should be able to make significant replacement appearances later in the evening. If we’re being hopeful, at the absolute least, they are experienced penalty takers before an unlikely shoot-out.
As a result, Luis Diaz completes the attacking trio; unlike his benched teammates, the Colombian is in superior form. With Jota on the right and Gakpo in the center, he can begin in his preferred left-wing position, though there are various ways this three can arrange themselves.
Harvey Elliott enters midfield because he deserves to start after making another impressive cameo against Crystal Palace.
Remember, we’re going to be attacking, thus Alexis Mac Allister gets the start at number six, with Wataru Endo coming on as a replacement following his departure against the Eagles at halftime.
Moreover, Curtis Jones can finish the midfield three before Dominik Szoboszlai, even though the struggling Hungarian has only played as a substitute in Liverpool’s last two games.
Trent Alexander-Arnold starts at right-back in defense while Conor Bradley is sidelined due to injury. However, Joe Gomez is ready to take his position in the second half, as Jurgen Klopp has previously cautioned that the England international cannot play for 120 minutes due to an injury.
Andy Robertson holds his spot at center defense since he is the only Liverpool player who has shown any improvement over the last week, while Ibrahima Konate hopes to play his way back into shape.
And even though Caoimhin Kelleher’s opposition in the Europa League has been Alisson Becker thus far, I’m being heartless and going with Becker this time. The Reds may really use a reliable back four in an effort to strengthen their defense, considering how difficult it has been for them to maintain clean sheets in 2024.
Alisson; Jones; Jota, Gakpo, Diaz; Elliott, Mac Allister, Van Dijk, Robertson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson;
