Liverpool v Atalanta: Preview and Predictions

Liverpool v Atalanta: Preview and Predictions

BERGAMO, ITALY - Tuesday, November 3, 2020: Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring the first goal with team-mate Mohamed Salah (L) during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Atalanta BC and Liverpool FC at the Stadio di Bergamo. (Pic by Simone Arveda/Propaganda)

Liverpool’s Diogo Jota who bagged a hat-trick against Atalanta is expected to be rested for the return fixture

Liverpool host Atalanta at Anfield as the former seek to confirm their qualification from their group. Liverpool has so far had an easy group stage compared to the last three years and have won their first three games with ease. Atalanta has had their good start to their group stage derailed by Liverpool’s emphatic victory at the Bergamo Stadium. Both clubs have different aims, but both will seek to win against each other.

A fully changed line-up is expected

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to field a much changed line-up against the Italians, hoping to rest his depleted first team. Fringe players like Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino are expected to play a starting role here. Neco Williams and Konstantinos Tsimikas are also expected to replace James Milner and Andy Robertson respectively.

It remains to be seen who will be the centre-back pairing. It is expected that Rhys Williams will make another start against the Italians. What remains a doubt is who will partner the youngster. Georginio Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones will most likely make the midfield with either James Milner or Fabinho being the third midfielder.

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Atalanta come in to this game having drawn 0-0 with Spezia. Mattia Caldara and Matteo Ruggeri are expected to miss the match and Ruslan Malinovskiyi will miss the match having tested positive for Covid-19. They will be looking to prove a point against Liverpool having been beaten by them last time.

Injuries

Liverpool: Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Trent Alexander Arnold

Doubtful: Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson

Atalanta: Mattia Caldera, Ruslan Malinoskiyi (Covid-19) and Matteo Rugari

Predicted Line-ups

Liverpool: Alisson Becker; Neco Williams; Fabinho; Rhys Williams; Kostas Tsimikas; James Milner; Gini Wijnaldum; Curtis Jones; Mohamed Salah; Takumi Minamino; Divock Origi

Atalanta: Marco Sportiello; Jose Luis Palomino; Cristian Romero; Rafael Toloi; Hans Hateboer; Mario Pasalic; Remo Freuler; Robin Gosens; Alejandro Gomez: Duvan Zapata: Luis Muriel

Also read: Virgil Van Dijk’s injury has made Liverpool made defensively stronger. What is the reason?