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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Jurgen Klopp makes six Liverpool changes and big Naby Keita decision for Benfica

Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the Liverpool team that faces Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in Lisbon.

The right-back picked up a hamstring injury before the international break and had initially targeted a comeback for Sunday's trip to Manchester City, but after rejoining full training last week, Alexander-Arnold is named in the back four for the first leg tie in Portugal.

Ibrahima Konate steps in for Joel Matip in defence as the Frenchman partners Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson takes his place on the left.

LIVE UPDATES: Benfica vs Liverpool score, goals and commentary stream

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In midfield, Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita start together with Fabinho handed the defensive responsibility and Jordan Henderson named only among the substitutes.

Up front, Luis Diaz returns to the side alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as Liverpool play their first game in Estadio da Luz since 2010.

A powerful bench sees Klopp able to name Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota alongside captain Henderson, Joe Gomez, Matip and James Milner, while Harvey Elliott is also recalled after Under-23s duty at the weekend.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Keita; Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Firmino, Gomez, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Minamino, Jota, Tsimikas, Matip, Elliott.

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