Liverpool predicted lineup: Klopp hands rare start to £11.75m player, Salah decision made

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Liverpool return to Champions League action this evening as they host Benfica in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.

The Reds are in a strong position having won the first leg in Portugal 3-1 last week, with Ibrahima Konate, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz all on the scoresheet.

Liverpool then claimed a pulsating 2-2 draw at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon but and take on their rivals in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.

Tonight though, Liverpool have to make sure they see through the job against a dangerous Benfica side.

With Villarreal awaiting in the semi-finals after beating Bayern Munich, Liverpool will know they have a great chance of reaching the final.

Jurgen Klopp still faces some difficult decisions tonight though, and here is our predicted lineup for Liverpool against Benfica…

Barring any late injury or illness, Alisson will surely start in the Liverpool goal tonight with Caoimhin Kelleher sitting on the bench.

Joel Matip put in a strong shift against Manchester City but we would anticipate Ibrahima Konate coming back into the side tonight.

Konate would partner Virgil van Dijk at centre back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back.

Andrew Robertson has taken on a heavy workload of late and this could be a perfect chance for £11.75million man Kostas Tsimikas to come in for a rare start.

Jordan Henderson may start again whilst Naby Keita looks primed for a start this evening, with Curtis Jones possibly able to come in.

That would allow Klopp to rest Fabinho and Thiago ahead of facing Manchester City again this weekend.

Luis Diaz and Roberto Firmino were only substitutes against City on Sunday and will surely be given a start tonight to freshen up the Liverpool attack.

Mohamed Salah desperately needs a rest with Diogo Jota potentially filling in down the right side, giving Sadio Mane a rest too.

Liverpool predicted XI v Benfica: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Keita, Jones; Jota, Firmino, Diaz.