The wait is over as both Liverpool and Napoli have announced their Starting XI for the Champions League opener in Italy. Jürgen Klopp has made one personal change in his lineup with James Milner replacing injured captain Jordon Henderson. Andy Robertson moves to the back line while Roberto Firmino will play up top. As expected, Arthur Melo will be on the bench to start the match as well as Thiago Alcantara, who is coming off of an injury.
Napoli’s lineup is true to form. They will play a lone striker up top and three players, including the ever-dangerous Kvaratskhelia, in the midfield.
Liverpool Line Ups
Starters
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Elliott, Diaz, Salah, Firmino
Substitutes
Adrian, Davies, Thiago, Jota, Tsimikas, Núñez, Matip, Bajcetic, Phillips
Napoli Line Ups
Starters
Meret, Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Olivera, Lobotka, Zambo, Anguissa, Politano, Zielinski, Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen
Substitutes
Sirigu, Juan Jesus Rui, Elmas, Lozano, Simeone, Zerbin, Ostigard, Zanoli, Gaetano, Raspadori, Ndombele
LFC Global Verdict
Liverpool’s lineup is pretty much what Klopp hinted it might be in his Pre-match Press Conference, Thiago and Melo will indeed start the match on the bench. If Liverpool starts to struggle though, I would expect the pair to see the pitch sooner rather than later.
What is a surprise is that Darwin Núñez did not draw a starting assignment. After all, he will have the freshest legs of anyone in the squad after serving a three-match suspension for a red card. Maybe Klopp is saving him in case the Reds need to make a late push for a goal.
In all, I think this is a solid lineup that is more than capable of securing three points, but then again Reds’ supporters have said that plenty of times this season before having to settle for a draw or suffering a loss Add in the fact that Liverpool has never won on Napoli’s home pitch and the prospect of a win becomes even more challenging, but that is why there are no easy matches in the Champions League.
