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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp facing Thiago Alcantara decision as Liverpool consider Xherdan Shaqiri rethink

Liverpool moved clear at the top of the Premier League table with victory over West Ham United on Saturday.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and substitute Diogo Jota were enough for the Reds to come from behind and earn a 2-1 triumph at Anfield.

The Premier League and world champions now turn their focus to the Champions League, with Jurgen Klopp considering his options.

And here we look ahead to the changes the Reds boss could make for the Group D clash at Atalanta on Tuesday.

Change at the back

Liverpool will have to make at least one alteration from the team that started at the weekend.

Nathaniel Phillips, who impressed on his Premier League debut on Saturday, is ineligible having not been included in the Reds' Champions League squad.

Rhys Williams is primed to return for his first Champions League start, although the Reds are waiting on the fitness of Joel Matip.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are expected to continue in the full-back positions.

Time for Thiago?

Klopp has been keen to rotate his midfield at every opportunity this season.

And with five substitutes allowed in European competition, he has made the most of it with Jordan Henderson having been used in 45-minute stints thus far.

It could be the same again on Tuesday, with Liverpool likely to stick to a three-man midfield.

Thiago Alcantara was close to a return at the weekend and may be in line to feature in Italy, while James Milner has become something of a midweek man this season.

One of Gini Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones, who both started against West Ham, is expected to begin again, while Xherdan Shaqiri put forward a compelling case at the weekend.

The Firmino question

Last week's win over FC Midtjylland saw the regular front three all rested before emerging in the second half - the opposite of what happened at Ajax in the group opener.

It would be a major surprise for Divock Origi to be in the XI, while Takumi Minamino failed to make the most of his opportunity against the Danes.

Diogo Jota, however, is close to a start after another matchwinning contribution on Saturday, with Roberto Firmino due a rest.

  • What changes should Jurgen Klopp make for Atalanta? Let us know in the comments below.
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