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Liverpool's starting lineup vs Toulouse – predicted

Liverpool's starting lineup vs Toulouse – predicted

Andy Headspeath 08 Nov 2023, 12:35 Last modified: 08 Nov 2023

Liverpool can qualify for the Europa League knockouts with two games to spare this Thursday when they take on Toulouse.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds have been flawless (points-wise) in Europe this season and just a draw away in France will confirm their qualification from Group E.

Liverpool will be confident of achieving that against Toulouse, who have been in poor form of late – failing to win in their last five outings and losing 5-1 to the Reds in the last round of Europa League action.

After the Reds' dispiriting draw at Luton, this game against out-of-sorts opposition offers the perfect tonic to recalibrate those shooting boots ahead of the weekend's visit of Brentford – the last fixture before another international break.

Expect plenty of rotation, but who will get the nod for this one?

Left back question

Luke Chambers made his first Liverpool start in the 5-1 win over Toulouse last month, but has not even featured in a matchday squad since, with Kostas Tsimikas only challenged by Joe Gomez for the left-back role since.

However, the 19-year-old may get another chance on Thursday, with Klopp wary of over-stretching his regulars given the dropped points away at Luton last weekend.

The fact that Liverpool are in such a commanding position in the group now means there is little need to pull out the big guns in France.

As such, Gomez is likely to take over from Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back, with Joel Matip partnering the impressive young Jarell Quansah for his second Europa League start.

Cup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal barring some last minute issue.

Rotation, rotation, rotation

Dominik Szoboszlai's uncharacteristically muted display at Luton perhaps showed signs of needing a break in the 'lesser' fixtures – the 23-year-old has already played more than 30% of the amount of minutes he featured in for RB Leipzig last season.

English duo Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones could be given the chance to start together for the first time in Europe this season, either side of a deeper-lying 'number six'.

With Alexis Mac Allister suspended for the weekend's clash with Brentford after accumulating five yellow cards this season, he could well be used midweek, with Wataru Endo saved for the bench.

Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are absentees again, though 19-year-old James McConnell – who made his Liverpool debut in the win over Toulouse last time out – could also feature in the squad.

Ryan Gravenberch, who has an impressive three goal involvements in three Europa League matches so far, is also a strong contender to start.

Three from six in attack

Mohamed Salah has featured in all three of Liverpool's European outings so far in 2023/24 – but only started once.

With Ben Doak fit again, Liverpool's 'Egyptian King' may be allowed some valuable rest time, given the little pressure on this game.

On the left, it's a choice between Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, with the latter perhaps still more likely to make Klopp's lineup despite the Colombian's game-saving cameo against Luton.

Given the ongoing situation regarding his father's kidnapping, Diaz's inclusion in squads, rightly, remains at the player's own discretion.

Up front, Cody Gakpo has played just 23 minutes of Europa League football this season – but has still clocked an assist. He may get a first start here to keep Darwin Nuñez fresh for Brentford.