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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
James Pearce & Ian Doyle & Connor Dunn & Paul Gorst

How Liverpool could line up against Barcelona - Shaqiri starts as Klopp springs surprise for Alexander-Arnold

Ian Doyle - 'Time for Klopp to flex tactical muscle'

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

But rather than see this game as a complete write-off with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Jurgen Klopp Proof Liverpool can shock Barcelona in Champions League and why Jurgen Klopp knows better than most to flex his tactical muscles.

I know I would be in his shoes.

Say hello, then, to a return to the 4-2-3-1 that brought the best out of Xherdan Shaqiri before Christmas.

Joel Matip returns at centre-back in place of Dejan Lovren, while Joe Gomez is restored at right-back.

Liverpool's steely resolve and heart for the fight means Barcelona and Man City can't rest yet  

That means Trent Alexander-Arnold can be pushed up on to the right of the three in the attacking midfield, with Shaqiri in behind lone striker Divock Origi.

Hey, why the flip not?

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho; Alexander-Arnold, Shaqiri, Mane; Origi.

Paul Gorst - 'Mane central as Matip returns'

So this is it then, we're inside the final week of the season for Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool players.

Extending their campaign to June 1 for the Champions League final is going to require a night of legendary proportions .

But as the Reds boss says , they have to try.

Xherdan Shaqiri during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Huddersfield Town at Anfield on April 26, 2019 (Photo by William Early/Getty Images)

Alisson in goal behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.

The midfield three, for me, is Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum.

I'd play Sadio Mane centrally with Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri on the left and right, respectively.

Proof Liverpool can shock Barcelona in Champions League and why Jurgen Klopp knows better than most  

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Origi, Shaqiri, Mane.

Connor Dunn - 'Step forward Origi'

Coutinho signs autograph for fans outside Hilton Liverpool

With both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino ruled out for the clash with Barcelona the focus of this is inevitably going to be on the frontline.

Step forward Divock Origi, the big Belgian has been a real threat coming on as a substitute this season and has scored a couple of really important goals to he starts on the right with Sadio Mane on the left.

Rhian Brewster - Liverpool's wildcard might finally get the chance to prove Jurgen Klopp right  

Daniel Sturridge, then, comes into the middle of a front three in what will be a massive game for the former England international and a chance to finish what is likely to be his last season at Anfield with a trademark flourish.

In the midfield Naby Keita was injured during the first match against the Catalan giants and replaced by Jordan Henderson.

The captain starts for me at on Tuesday night and is joined by James Milner and Fabinho playing slightly behind those two players in a midfield three.

Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match at The Cardiff City Stadium (David Davies/PA Wire)

Gini Wijnaldum meanwhile is given a rest ahead of the huge Wolves clash next weekend on the final day of the Premier League season.

At the back Trent Alexander-Arnold was rested against Barcelona in the first-leg but he comes back in to the side to give the Reds an attacking outlet from the back.

Andy Robertson has been tirelessly brilliant this season and was once again in Spain so he keeps his place alongside Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip in the middle.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Henderson, Mane, Sturridge, Origi.

James Pearce - 'Liverpool have to be bold'

Somehow Jurgen Klopp has to fill the gaping void created by the loss of both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

I'd reward the two players who combined for that dramatic late winner at Newcastle on Saturday with starts. Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi can play in a three-man frontline with Sadio Mane.

Why Suarez and Coutinho return shows Liverpool's progress as Henderson hopes to 'devastate' Barcelona pair  

I'm not sure Daniel Sturridge is the answer for this game, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another option but I don't think he's played enough to start.

I'd go with a midfield three of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum with Joel Matip recalled at centre-back. On a night when Liverpool have to be bold, Trent Alexander-Arnold has to start at right-back.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Mane, Origi.

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