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Liverpool predicted lineup: Big decisions made on Alexander-Arnold and Salah

Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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KIRKBY, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during a gym session at AXA Training Centre on March 31, 2022 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool return to Champions League action tonight as they travel to take on Benfica in the last eight of the competition.

The Reds beat Inter Milan in the last 16 but need to step it up after a disappointing second leg performance at Anfield.

Benfica beat Ajax in the last round and will be looking to spring a real shock on Jurgen Klopp’s men.

Villarreal or Bayern Munich await in the semi-finals, with Liverpool no doubt confident they can challenge for the Champions League trophy once again.

Klopp faces some tough decisions tonight as he must balance tonight’s game with Sunday’s crunch title clash with Manchester City.

With that in mind, here is our predicted lineup for Liverpool against Benfica…

Barring any late injury or illness, goalkeeper Alisson will surely start between the sticks for Liverpool tonight.

Virgil van Dijk will be one of Liverpool’s centre backs, but after Joel Matip started against Watford we’re backing Ibrahima Konate to come back in.

Andrew Robertson will likely start at left back, with the big decision to come at right back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is back from injury and made the bench against Watford, so we’ll back him to start tonight to gear himself up for Sunday’s clash with City.

Fabinho was only a substitute against Watford so he will likely start in midfield, but it may be too soon to throw Naby Keita into the side.

Liverpool's Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz warms up during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 2, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

That would likely mean another start for Thiago and Jordan Henderson, though look for Klopp to manage their minutes ahead of Sunday.

Mohamed Salah looked a little tired against Watford and this may be the ideal chance to give him a little rest ahead of the City game.

Luis Diaz will surely come back into the side having been on the bench on Saturday, especially given his knowledge of the Benfica side.

Sadio Mane is likely to start too, whilst Diogo Jota could keep his place after scoring against Watford on Saturday.

Predicted Liverpool XI v Benfica: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Mane, Diaz, Jota.

Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah reacts as he walks from the pitch having been substituted during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Watford at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 2, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images