We are anticipating another classic Champions League night at Anfield tonight in a must-win game for the Reds. Liverpool have to get the better of their Italian opponents by two goals or secure a 1-0 win, to progress to the knockout stages and replicate last season’s impressive performance.
GK - Alisson Becker
Alisson has been incredibly impressive since joining from Roma in the summer and he would clearly be the number one in this squad, beating off competition from former Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.
RB - Elseid Hysaj
Although Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in good form for Liverpool he has been rested in recent weeks with Joe Gomez shifting across to right-back. Elseid Hysaj, on the other hand has been a top performer in Serie A for the past couple of years. His ability to play on the left or right side of defence is another string to his bow but he has stepped up a level in the right-back position this season.
CB - Virgil Van Dijk
One of the top five centre backs in the world this year, Virgil Van Dijk would lead from the back and organise this solid back four. A must have in any starting eleven.
CB - Kalidou Koulibaly
Imagine how good this centre-back partnership would be. Two giants of the game dominating any forward and reading the play well. Koulibaly is one of the other top five centre-backs in the world and these two would make for an unbelievable duo.
LB - Andy Robertson
What a signing Andy Robertson has turned out to be for the Reds. A solid left-back defensively and an animal going forward, Robertson provides Jurgen Klopp with an attacking outlet on the left-hand side of the field and he is often the man to provide width when Sadio Mane is tucking inside.
RM - Mo Salah
Prepare for this eleven to become very attacking… Mo Salah, top goalscorer in the Premier League slots in on the right-hand side. He has been playing mostly down the middle for the Reds but there is simply too much forward-thinking talent in this team for him to play there.
CM - Allan
Allan, Allan, Allan! Napoli’s Brazilian central midfielder cruises his way into this midfield as a classy and clever playmaker. The 27-year-old is a better player than any of Liverpool’s central midfielders and although they work incredibly hard to provide possession for the front three, individually they are not top class.
CM - Marek Hamsik
Only one man to partner Allan in midfield and that is Marek Hamsik, a Napoli legend and still on of the most potent midfielders in the whole of Europe. At 31-years-old he is reaching the latter years of his career, but he can still boss any midfield he wants to and is a top quality midfielder.
LM - Sadio Mane
Mane started the season on flying form and has cooled of slightly but he is still well worth his place in this side. As a wide man, he has added a ruthless goalscoring streak to his game this season which gives Liverpool another attacking option.
ST - Dries Mertens
What a baller. Dries Mertens is a clinical goalscorer and his pace makes him a nightmare for defenders. Three goals in five Champions League games prove what problems he will cause for Virgil Van Dijk and co tonight and they will have to watch out as one Napoli goal could cause chaos at Anfield.
ST - Lorenzo Insigne
Known mainly for his tricky runs down the left-wing, Insigne has been playing alongside Mertens in a front two on several occasions this season. That is what we have gone with again here to fit in all this attacking talent even though it means leaving out Roberto Firmino. Sorry Bobby.
