Coming off the back of a disappointing draw with Manchester United at the weekend, the matches continue to come fast and furious with Liverpool back in action against Slovenian outfit NK Maribor in the Champions League tomorrow evening. Although Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes the squad has had sufficient time to rest, he’s hinted he could make a few changes to the starting eleven that runs out in Central Europe — including one between the sticks.
“Yes, Loris will start. If nothing happens from here on the way to Maribor, then Loris will start!” said the German manager, confirming that ‘keeper Loris Karius will replace Simon Mignolet in net tomorrow night. “How it always is after a game, there are a few little things but so far the Doc hasn’t come to me to say one player or another is not available, so we’re pretty much the same,” explained Klopp. “We have a couple of players more here, but it’s the same squad [as for United] plus a few more players here.”
United, in predictable fashion, parked the bus when they rolled in to Anfield at the weekend and the Reds could be up against the same kind of stifling tactics when they run out at the Ljudski vrt stadium tomorrow night. Maribor, of course, will be looking to hit on the counter-attack while they keep things tight at the back and hope that Liverpool left their shooting boots at home.
Still winless in the Champions League having drawn with both Sevilla and Spartak Moscow in their opening two matches, the Reds will be looking to finally put some real points on the board on Tuesday evening, but all they while they’ll have their meeting with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday in mind.
“We will see about rotation. I don’t think it is necessary, but maybe one, two, three or four changes [will be made]. We will see,” said Klopp, staying non-committal. “It’s a very, very important game so, again, it’s always a decision about rhythm and being used to each other or bringing in fresh legs,” mused the German. “We have a lot of games but I don’t think the intensity of the last game should be a reason for the line-up for this game.”
