Liverpool opinion: Trent Alexander-Arnold has to start against Barcelona on Tuesday
Liverpool don’t have a lot of time to celebrate their 3-2 win over Newcastle as Barcelona visit Anfield on Tuesday.
The Reds need to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg and have a couple of injury concerns. Roberto Firmino is set to miss the tie and it is to be seen if Mohamed Salah recovers from his head injury from St. James’ Park.
Losing Salah would be a huge blow as the Egyptian is our leading scorer, while Firmino’s work-rate was missed in the first leg too.
Liverpool showcased their fighting spirit on Saturday coming from 2-2 to score in the 86th minute. They did not have Salah or Firmino on the field, and Klopp rolled the dice by bringing on Milner for a defender.
The full-backs did their bit for the team at the weekend as Trent Alexander-Arnold racked up a couple of assists for the Reds.
The Englishman was a surprising omission from the first leg against Barcelona but has to start at Anfield.
Liverpool chasing the game
The Reds have to start in blistering fashion as overturning a 3-0 deficit won’t be easy. Trent and Andy Robertson have been great all season, and they could be the keys to breaking the Barcelona defence.
Alexander-Arnold’s place was taken by Joe Gomez at the Nou Camp, and while the former Charlton defender provides more protection while playing at right-back, his crossing cannot compare with Trent’s.
Robertson and Trent have 11 assists each in the Premier League this season, and they will whip a crazy number of crosses in on Tuesday.
Divock Origi could get a start after his winner against the Magpies, and it will be interesting to see if he plays down the middle of the attack.
We could use his physicality and pepper the Barcelona defence with crosses all night long. Of course, chasing the game leaves us open to being counter-attacked, and the Catalans are more than capable of taking advantage.
Ernesto Valverde also rested most of his first-team during the weekend’s game against Celta Vigo. Barcelona lost that tie but they have their eye on Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk will have his hands full in trying to keep Lionel Messi on a leash but the Anfield atmosphere should give us the backing we need.
Liverpool started like a house on fire against Huddersfield and did the same against Porto at home. Barcelona will also have memories of their capitulation against AS Roma from last season when they were knocked out despite leading 4-1 after the first leg.
Anfield has seen several incredible European games and another fantastic tie cannot be ruled out. The first goal will be crucial in the tie, and Liverpool are more than capable of getting that should they play to their potential.
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We might be without a couple of stars but the belief running the squad gives us that little extra we need.
