Liverpool line-ups for Lille as Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa decisions made
Liverpool have been perfect in the Champions League so far. On Tuesday, they have the chance to extend their winning run to seven from seven games in this season's competition when they face Lille at Anfield.
After the last-gasp win over Brentford on Saturday in the Premier League, spirits will surely be high in the squad as the Reds look to confirm top spot in the group stage. It may also be a chance for Arne Slot to rotate the squad with a busy few weeks to come.
It's a huge game for Lille. They currently sit eighth in the table, which is the final qualification spot for the round-of-16. The Ligue 1 outfit have beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the competition already this season.
Our Liverpool writers have named the XIs they would choose for tonight's game below.
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Paul Gorst
There are perhaps four key decisions for Arne Slot to get right for the return of the Champions League tonight and with Ipswich Town at home on Saturday afternoon, this might be a chance to rest up some of those key men.
Conor Bradley would be a good shout to come back into the side and give Trent Alexander-Arnold a rest and there is also a decision to be made over Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas at left-back. I expect Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk to stay as the centre-back partnership.
In midfield, I also anticipate that Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will stay as the two-man pivot but I am giving a rare opportunity to Harvey Elliott. He has only started two games this term - in the domestic cups - so this is a chance to build on an encouraging cameo at Brentford.
And up top, it's Darwin Nunez leading the line. Cody Gakpo can keep his place with Luis Diaz in reserve, if needed.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Elliott, Gakpo; Nunez
Ian Doyle
It says everything about how well Liverpool have done so far in the Champions League this season that tonight's game against Lille isn't even close to being the most important in a busy month for the Reds.
As such, there should be plenty of rotation. What, though, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
Alisson Becker can remain in goal but it's time for some changes in defence. Conor Bradley can come in at right-back, with Jarell Quansah partnering Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. At left-back, Kostas Tsimikas can continue.
In midfield, Curtis Jones can play in one of the deeper roles with Wataru Endo in the other and Harvey Elliott playing as the number 10.
Up top, Federico Chiesa starts on the right, Darwin Nunez down the middle and Luis Diaz can shift across to the left.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Elliott, Diaz; Nunez
Theo Squires
After his match-winning brace against Brentford, Darwin Nunez has to start against Lille as Liverpool look to get their place in the Champions League round-of-16 over the line once and for all.
But facing a side who have already beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in this year’s competition, and haven’t lost a game since September, they can’t be taking anything for granted. Reds rotation can wait, Arne Slot should go strong against the Ligue 1 outfit.
Luis Diaz reverts to his natural left-wing position, with Cody Gakpo unfortunate to drop to the bench. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is given another chance to end his mini goalscoring drought.
Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are unfortunate to be left on the bench once more in an unchanged midfield.
While Ibrahima Konate might admit he’s not fully fit yet, his appearance at the pre-match press conference would suggest he retains his starting berth. Kostas Tsimikas can also retain his place ahead of Andy Robertson at left-back, while Conor Bradley will have to wait a week for his next starting opportunity in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez