Fresh on the back of a well-deserved outing at Anfield on Sunday in what turned out to be a 3-0 victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men, the Merseysiders will now look for a similar result against Wednesday night opponents Atalanta.
Champions League priorities return for Liverpool FC once again, and with a number of first-team stars set to return to the first-team fold very shortly, the hosts will gain some much-needed momentum ahead of Atalanta’s visit to Anfield.
Sunday night saw a very well-balanced display from Klopp’s side on all fronts, and the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander Arnold, Jordan Henderson, and Mohammad Salah, did little to deny the Reds the three points when going up against Leicester City.
Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino got on the scoresheet over the weekend, and the latter’s goal will surely give him some urgently required confidence going into the mid-week Champions League tie.
In the reverse fixture that took place at Atalanta’s home territory, Liverpool FC ran out 5-0 victors, handing the Serie A outfit a thrashing on their own turf, and Jota was the star man for his new club that day.
This summer’s Anfield arrival grabbed a hat-trick in the win and all eyes will again be on the Portuguese international in the upcoming fixture as a result of his brilliant run of form in recent times.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Wednesday 25 November
Time: 8 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Reports following the Leicester City clash confirmed that Mohammad Sahah had finally tested negative for COVID-19 and that the Egyptian international will now be in the fray to feature on Wednesday night against Atalanta.
There still is some doubt over Thiago Alcantara’s availability for the upcoming game, but with the Spaniard having made a full-fledged return to training sessions, Klopp will be enticed to give his marquee summer signing game-time in the mid-week tie.
Fabinho returned to the starting XI for Liverpool FC on Sunday, the Brazillian’s first appearance in nearly a month, and it is expected that he will be partnering Joel Matip at the heart of the Reds backline.
We could see some changes in the attacking line for the Anfield outfit, as Klopp may be tempted to tinker around with his XI for Wednesday’s game, considering that fringe players like Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi have been used sparingly since the turn of the new campaign.
KEY BATTLE
Fabinho vs Duván Zapata
The Columbian striker was the sole Atalanta forward who came close to troubling the Liverpool FC backline last time around, hitting the post not once, but twice on either side of the half.
Zapata is surely a danger going forward for any opposition side, and despite his lukewarm return of goals in recent games, he will pose a threat to a severely injury-depleted defence of Jurgen Klopp’s men.
On the other hand, Fabinho has slotted perfectly well into his new central defender position, covering well for the due absence of Van Dijk and Gomez, and Klopp will be hoping that his ever-reliable Brazillian comes out on top when going up against the aforementioned Atalanta frontman.
MATCH PREDICTION
One of the most exciting sides to watch last season in the Champions League, it is fair to say that Atalanta have not hit the ground running this time around.
Last season’s UCL quarter-finalists have failed to carry on their rich vein of momentum both in the Serie A as well well is in Europe. The Reds handled them a thrashing in the reserve fixture, solely due to Jota’s superb sense of football.
6⃣ 4⃣ consecutive home league games unbeaten – a new club record 🤩
HOME ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Nw7FxQuXqN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 22, 2020
But even in the forthcoming game, Klopp’s men are surely the favourites, not only because it is Anfield which will serve as the venue, but if Sunday’s game proves anything, it is that the Merseysiders classify as world-beaters even in the absence of a host of star players.
We are predicting a 4-1 win for Liverpool FC.
