Formation switches with Diogo Jota starting in attack
Paul Gorst: Jurgen Klopp might just welcome the respite of the Champions League this week as he attempts to mastermind Liverpool's slow ascent back towards the sort of levels they were at last season.
A first-ever meeting with Rangers promises fireworks on the terraces but it's also a big opportunity for the Reds to bring up six points in Group A against a team who have lost both their fixtures so far.
READ MORE: Full Liverpool squad available for Rangers as defence boosted but four still missing
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez situation could be about to change at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp talks
At the back, there's no recall just yet for Ibrahima Konate and the embattled Trent Alexander-Arnold is given the chance to put right his form. With Andy Robertson still sidelined, Kostas Tsimikas continues to deputise, too.
In a big with tradition, I'm going to plump for a system change at Anfield this evening and go with just the two midfielders in Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara. That third spot can instead go to Roberto Firmino who is given license to roam in something of a No.10 role. The Brazilian likes to drift from the centre-forward spot but a 4-2-3-1 lets him do so while still offering a body up top as a striker.
That position is going to be filled by Diogo Jota. The merits of giving Darwin Nunez a chance to kick-start his career are plentiful but it's needs-must for Jurgen Klopp at the moment.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Thiago, Fabinho; Salah, Firmino, Diaz; Jota.
Fabinho and Mohamed Salah rested with an overhaul in defence
Ian Doyle: Does everyone know there's a Champions League game this evening?
The lack of enthusiasm from some Liverpool supporters even before the start of the season - no doubt due to events in Paris - has been matched by an increasing number of others following the underwhelming few months that have followed.
And there's no doubt tonight's clash at Anfield seems a much bigger deal for Rangers than for the Reds. Except, of course, it isn't. And a win tonight will put Jurgen Klopp's side in a strong position going into the second half of the group stage.
So, the team. Alisson Becker should stay in goal, but it's time for an overhaul in defence. Joe Gomez can replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, with Ibrahima Konate returning at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk with Joel Matip getting a rest. Kostas Tsimikas must continue at left-back.
In midfield, more changes. Jordan Henderson can start as the anchor, with Thiago Alcantara on the left of the midfield three and Harvey Elliott on the right.
Up top, Luis Diaz can return on the left, with Diogo Jota on the right - giving Mohamed Salah a much-needed rest - and Darwin Nunez down the middle.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Henderson, Elliott, Thiago; Jota, Nunez, Diaz.
Darwin Nunez leads the line as formation adjustment made
Sean Bradbury: In his pre-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp said: “We cannot always start something completely new but if we can help the boys with a way to defend differently we will do that.”
With problems in transition and big gaps regularly opening up on Liverpool's right hand side, a formation tweak may be the best way to provide that 'help'.
So it's 4-2-3-1 for me against Rangers, with less onus on the full-backs to attack high up the pitch and a double pivot in midfield to shield the defence.
Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip keep their places - but Joe Gomez comes in. Fabinho and Thiago are the two central starters.
Up front, it has to be Darwin Nunez's time. He is flanked by Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
The final selection is a tricky with several candidates to play off the striker. While Roberto Firmino is obvious and Harvey Elliott is tempting, I would go for Diogo Jota to offer the energy and sharpness that was key to the encouraging display against Ajax.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Thiago: Salah, Jota, Diaz; Nunez.
Keifer MacDonald: Back in Champions League action, with their disastrous display in Naples firmly behind them, Liverpool can move a step closer to qualification to the round of 16 this evening with victory over Scottish Premiership giants Rangers.
Having once again been made to rue the mistakes of their unflattering defensive work, and lack of cutting edge in the final third, during Saturday's 3-3 draw with Brighton, Jurgen Klopp has plenty of decisions to make ahead of tonight's clash.
With Andy Robertson yet to return to training, Kostas Tsimikas will keep his place on the left-hand side of the defence. His counterpart Trent Alexander-Arnold will also keep his place despite an abundance of scrutiny in his direction following Saturday's encounter with the Seagulls and the three goals Liverpool conceded.
At the heart of the defence Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk line up alongside one another for the third consecutive outing, ahead of the ever-excellence Alisson Becker. Ibrahima Konate's return to full training late last week has the potential to give his manager a decision ahead of tonight, especially with the recent form of Van Dijk. But I suspect Tuesday's clash could be too soon for the Frenchman.
In midfield, Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are deployed in a new-look double-pivot at the base of a 4-2-3-1. Captain Jordan Henderson, after his return to club action on Monday in late August, is dropped to the bench as Klopp looks to kick-start the Reds' season with a change of shape.
That leaves plenty of options in attack as Darwin Nunez makes his first Anfield start since Crystal Palace in August as he lines up with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez either side of him. Meaning Diego Jota is deployed in an innovative 'No.10' off the striker.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Thiago: Salah, Jota, Diaz; Nunez.
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