'Firmino needs a breather'
Ian Doyle: Anyone for a pint of Gazprom?
Yes, the Champions League is back for Liverpool and it’s the return of all your favourites.
Well, apart from the crowd. And atmosphere. And Virgil van Dijk. And Alison Becker. And Joel Matip. And Thiago Alcantara.
Those absences leave Jurgen Klopp with no decision to make in defence as Fabinho drops to centre-back alongside Joe Gomez.
Midfield is therefore a bit trickier. Perhaps it’s time for the return of something that maybe wasn’t the favourite of everyone but can do the job here - a midfield of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Gini Wijnaldum.
Up top, Roberto Firmino needs a breather. So why not start with the attack that finished at Goodison with Sadio Mane central, Diogo Jota left and Mohamed Salah right?
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Jota.
Follow Liverpool's clash with Ajax with LIVE score updates and analysis here
'Keita recalled'
Paul Gorst: Jurgen Klopp has cut a visibly frustrated figure of late but he’s going to have to cajole the troops as Liverpool’s Champions League campaign gets underway in Amsterdam.
No Thiago, or Van Dijk, or Matip, or Oxlade-Chamberlain, or Alisson...so just how does the Reds boss approach this?
For me, Fabinho has to drop in at centre-back alongside Joe Gomez and fingers must be crossed both come through unscathed.
Midfield-wise, the loss of the patently brilliant Thiago is a big one but not having Fabinho there is tricky too. It could mean recalls for Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita.
Up top, I’m giving Roberto Firmino another go. The Brazilian needs a goal, hopefully his trip to Amsterdam can do the trick. The in-form pair of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane start.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Gomez, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Who makes your starting XI? Are Firmino or Keita included? Let us know in the comments!
'Keita gets the nod to attack Ajax from the off'
Connor Dunn: Liverpool's injury situation means there is little choice as to who makes up the back five.
As my colleagues have already alluded to, Fabinho has got to start at centre-back alongside Joe Gomez as Adrian starts in goal with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson on either flank.
Elsewhere, things are a little more interesting.
Jordan Henderson was superb against Everton and his boundless energy means he is the first name on the teamsheet in midfield while Gini Wijnaldum is the man for a big European game and joins the captain in the engine room.
For me, I'd start Naby Keita with a view to attack Ajax from the off while bringing on James Milner to settle the game down later once the Reds have a lead.
Leading the line, I really liked the way Liverpool finished the Merseyside derby with Diogo Jota out left, Sadio Mane through the middle and Mohamed Salah on the right - so that's the trio I'd like to see start at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
That, of course, leaves Roberto Firmino on the bench but he can come on to change the game if needed - as he has done against big European opposition before.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keita; Salah, Mane, Jota.
'Welcome return for Keita and Firmino out the spotlight'
Peter Harris: So here begins the time of defensive change with a trip to Ajax a tough start for any Champions League campaign.
Jurgen Klopp confidently declared Fabinho as his back up centre back earlier in the season and now he is being made to prove his own point. With no Virgil van Dijk to call upon and Joel Matip also ruled out for the first group stage fixture, the Brazilian midfielder needs to show there is no need to be upset.
The rest of the backline remains the same from 'that' Merseyside derby, with Adrian also keeping his place. There was good news on Alisson's recovery but no indication he is ready to play just yet.
In midfield, Gini Wijnaldum returns alongside captain Jordan Henderson who was an impressive figure against Everton. A welcome return for Naby Keita would give a much needed boost with the Champions League clash coming a bit too soon for Thiago, who is recovering after the challenge from Richarlison.
It's still not quite working for Firmino so now is the time to take him out of the spotlight, and ensure he is rested for the weekend. Diogo Jota comes in to play on the left hand side, where he impressed for Portugal recently while Mane and Salah can jostle for the central position between themselves.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Gomez, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita; Jota, Mane, Salah.
'Wijnaldum steps into the Fabinho role'
Sean Bradbury: A tricky test for Liverpool to start their Champions League campaign.
And it has been made all the more difficult due to Virgil van Dijk's long term injury, plus Thiago and Joel Matip missing out.
That means the backline picks itself: Adrian, with Fabinho, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of him.
Midfield must be rejigged given Fabinho's switch.
I would keep Henderson in the roving role he has been occupying further forward. That means Gini Wijnaldum is the deeper man, with Henderson and Naby Keita ahead of him.
Finally, there are no surprises up front given the stature of this clash. It's the usual suspects.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Fabinho, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
