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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp faces Arthur Melo decision as Liverpool consider defender change

Liverpool scrapped their way to another Premier League point with a goalless draw against Everton on Saturday.

The Reds struck the woodwork three times but couldn't find a way past Jordan Pickford, resulting in a ninth Goodison draw in their last 11 visits. Liverpool will now look to begin their Champions League group stage with victory when they are at Napoli on Wednesday evening.

And here we look ahead to the changes Jurgen Klopp could make when his team are next in action.

READ MORE: Alisson Becker outlines key Liverpool change that will 'fix' poor form

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah isn't the real attacking problem for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp

Trent rested?

Liverpool went through four different defensive set-ups against Everton at the weekend as they sought the best way to cover for their lack of options in midfield while giving some players a much-needed rest.

Andy Robertson was one such player, although he came on for Kostas Tsimikas after an hour and seems primed to step in to replace the Greece international.

Joel Matip returned to action as a late substitute and could be an option at centre-back, whether to give Virgil van Dijk a rest or, as against Everton, step in alongside the Dutchman with Joe Gomez moving to right-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been substituted in the last two games and could be due a rest, with either Gomez or James Milner the alternatives. Centre-back Nat Phillips is the other available senior defender.

Arthur in the running

Neither Naby Keita nor Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have been included in the Champions League squad for the group stage, pointing to the extent of their injuries.

And with Jordan Henderson currently out, there's not much room for change for Klopp in the engine room, although Thiago Alcantara could be among the substitutes given his expected return to training this week after a month out.

Fabio Carvalho suffered a dead leg at Goodison and is a doubt, arguably leaving Klopp to pick three from Fabinho, Milner, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones - not on the bench at the weekend - and loan signing Arthur Melo, who hasn't played a competitive game since May 11.

Roberto Firmino was introduced into midfield to good effect on Saturday but it would be a major surprise if the Brazilian starts there in Italy. Young defensive midfielder Stefan Bajcetic could be in the travelling squad.

Jota primed

Klopp said it "feels like Christmas" now that he has five attacking options from which to choose, and he may be tempted to rotate in Naples.

While Darwin Nunez led the line against Everton with Luis Diaz left and Mohamed Salah right, Firmino's fine showing from the bench makes him a strong candidate to start.

Diogo Jota made his first appearance of the season with a late cameo but may not be quite ready for a starting role.

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