Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Benfica as Trent Alexander-Arnold returns from injury

Liverpool face Benfica at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Tuesday and here is our predicted lineup for the game.

After Liverpool navigated past Inter Milan in the Champions League Round of 16 tie, Jurgen Klopp's side will now face Benfica in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Out of every team that was in the quarter-final draw, the Portuguese side were definitely one of the easier opponents. However, they're in this stage of the competition for a reason and Klopp will know not to underestimate them.

With the second leg of the tie being played at Anfield, even if Liverpool don't win in Portugal, they will be confident that they can advance into the semi-finals during the reverse fixture.

So here is our predicted Liverpool lineup to face Benfica on Tuesday evening in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Alisson

Alisson is making a very strong case to be named Liverpool's most important player this season. The Brazilian made another phenomenal save against Watford which basically won the game for the Reds.

Whilst Ali is fit he doesn't get dropped and if we are to win the quadruple then he's going to be a massive part of that success.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Even though Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't feature against Watford at the weekend, Klopp confirmed that he was fit to play and that's why he was on the bench.

I do think that he's going to start against Benfica on Tuesday, however, I can see him only playing the first half as he is going to be so important against Manchester City at the weekend.

Ibrahima Konate

Joel Matip has been unbelievable so far this season but I believe that Klopp will start Ibrahima Konate just to keep everyone fresh.

There's no point in risking Matip when we have Konate who is fit enough to play and good enough to feature in a game of this magnitude.

Virgil van Dijk

When Virgil van Dijk is fit he starts. If he is available for every remaining game this season then he needs to start them all.

Andy Robertson

Kostas Tsimikas could start against Benfica but I can't see Klopp toying with the back four dynamics too much so Andy Robertson retains his place in my team.

Fabinho

We saw how important Fabinho is against Watford. The Brazilian just makes everything tick and when he isn't playing we look a bit vulnerable.

He also got a good rest at the weekend, I assume in preparation for this game.

James Milner

The next two positions are where I think we will see major changes. Firstly, I can see Jame Milner starting.

Milner has played a bit-part role this season and even though he won't admit it, I think Klopp will have one eye on the Manchester City game. So starting Millie and giving the likes of Thiago and Jordan Henderson some rest ahead of the title-deciding game might be a smart decision.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has fallen down the pecking order this season but with Curtis Jones' poor display against Watford, this opens the door for Ox to put in a decent display against Benfica.

Also, we know that Alex loves a good Champions League game, so let's give him a chance to prove that he is good enough for this team.

Mohamed Salah

Klopp has every attacker available to him for this upcoming trip to Portugal and even though Mohamed Salah is going through a rough patch I think that Klopp is going to give him another chance to shine.

If the Egyptian can score a couple of goals against Benfica then that'll do his confidence the world of good going into the weekend's fixture against Man City.

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane had a bit of a rest against Watford and when he did come on in the second half he looked sharp.

With Diogo Jota starting against the Hornets after returning from international duty, I expect Klopp to give the Portuguese international a rest and start Mane.

Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz knows Benfica better than any other Liverpool player. He was also rested at the weekend and he'll be as fresh as possible for the UCL game.

Diaz is the one player I think is guaranteed to start on Tuesday. Hopefully, he can show Porto that he's even more dangerous with Liverpool than he was with Porto.