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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Meade

How Liverpool could line-up vs Ajax with Sadio Mane and Joel Matip set to return

Jurgen Klopp is expected to welcome Sadio Mane and Joel Matip back to the starting XI for Liverpool's clash with Ajax tonight.

The pair were left out of the team to play Brighton on Saturday with Mane only appearing from the bench.

Matip will resume his centre-half partnership with Fabinho who continues to fill in at the heart of defence.

Neco Williams is poised to continue deputising for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold while Andy Robertson reprises his usual left-back role.

Curtis Jones, who didn't feature at the weekend after expressing some discomfort in training, is set to form part of a midfield trio alongside Jordan Henderson and Giorginio Winaldum.

Sadio Mane is set to start at Anfield (Getty Images)

Diogo Jota is the club's top scorer in Europe and again found the net on Saturday.

He is set to drop to the bench however as Klopp turns to the regular front three of Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

The German saw his side win in Amsterdam courtesy of a bizarre own goal.

Their perfect Group D record was ended by Atalanta at Anfield last weekend however and Klopp is expecting a tough challenge with qualification set to go down to the wire.

He said: “They have had to adapt in recent seasons after losing a few players to rival clubs. I remember from my own experience at Dortmund how that feels and what a challenge it is.

“How they deal with it is exceptional. The foundations of the team remain solid and they have recruited well. They have a clear identity. I love watching them, I have to say.

“I think they are as dangerous an opponent as you can get at this stage of the competition.

"It is no surprise that this group is so tight and will probably go to the final round to be decided.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Alisson; N Williams, Fabinho, Matip, Robertson; Jones, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane

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