By Betsefy
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara could return to the first XI for Tuesday’s Champions League Group A contest with Ajax at Anfield.
The Spaniard returned to action in last week’s 4-1 loss to Napoli and was given the luxury of an extended break at the weekend, as Premier League matches were postponed in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
Thiago’s expected inclusion in the first XI spells danger for James Milner, who captained the side in Naples but gave away a penalty within the opening five minutes for handball.
The 36-year-old ought to drop out of the side as Thiago joins arms with Fabinho and Harvey Elliott, with Jurgen Klopp determined to ease Arthur back into competitive action slowly.
Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita represent Liverpool’s quartet of absent midfielders, but Fabio Carvalho‘s dead leg might ease up in time for him to be involved.
Joe Gomez also flattered to deceive on the opening matchday and ought to lose his place to Joel Matip, but Klopp may elect to leave the rest of the backline untouched, with Andy Robertson fending off Kostas Tsimikas for another start.
In the final third, Luis Diaz is the only man who can feel confident about earning a start on the left-hand side, with Roberto Firmino potentially dropping out for Darwin Nunez.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah has now gone seven Champions League games without a goal and is seemingly in need of a break, which will open the door for Diogo Jota to come back into the team.
Liverpool possible starting lineup: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Thiago; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
