Home
News
Predicting Liverpool's starting XI to face Toulouse in the Europa League

Predicting Liverpool's starting XI to face Toulouse in the Europa League

Dan Vassie 24 Oct 2023, 13:51 Last modified: 08 Nov 2023

Liverpool are back in European action this Thursday, as they take on French side Toulouse and aim to continue their perfect Europa League record.

Liverpool simply needed to get a result against Everton at the weekend. The Reds had secured just one point from two games prior to the international break, and what better fixture to get back to winning ways than taking on your bitter rivals at home?

Jurgen Klopp's side didn't perform amazingly, but ultimately they got the job done, and they can now use the momentum generated from such a big result to go on another winning streak.

At this stage, the Premier League is understandably the priority, with the Nottingham Forest game around the corner, but momentum only works if the Reds keep winning and that means a result against Toulouse is a must.

The boss has a few injury concerns to consider ahead of the mid-week clash, but it was always likely that the side would be heavily rotated regardless.

With that said, who is likely to get the nod?

DEFENSIVE DEBUT?

Caoimhin Kelleher would have been left very frustrated by the timing of his injury – not only did he miss out on international duty with Ireland, but he had to sit out of Liverpool's last Europa League clash against Union Saint-Gilloise, which he was almost certain to start if fit.

However, thankfully, it appears that the Irishman is ready to return to action, which means he will surely return to his duties as the Reds' cup keeper.

With the Nottingham Forest game taking place just three days after the mid-week clash, Liverpool's defence should feature some very heavy rotation, with Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jarell Quansah likely coming back into the fold in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk.

Matip and Quansah have impressed whenever they've featured this season and this Europa League clash acts as the perfect opportunity to give them minutes, and keep them sharp. While the versatile Gomez has been superb at times when covering for Liverpool's vice-captain on the right-flank.

Picking a left-back is perhaps Klopp's most difficult task on Thursday.

First-choice Andy Robertson is facing a significant spell on the sidelines, while Kostas Tsimikas played at the weekend and will undoubtedly feature again against Forest at the weekend, which means the sensible option would be to rest the Greek international against Toulouse.

That's more than likely where the boss will have to turn to his youth options, and more specifically Luke Chambers, with the promising young full-back in line to make his European debut for the club.

ROTATED MIDFIELD

While first-teamers such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister are unlikely to start, Liverpool's successful midfield overhaul over the summer means that the club is more equip to compete in midfield regardless of which personnel are selected on the day.

Wataru Endo has struggled for minutes since joining the Reds thus far, with an out-of-position Mac Allister being preferred at the base of midfield in big games. However, the clash against Toulouse provides the opportunity for a rare start for the Japan captain.

Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch will likely be rested after the game at the weekend and Curtis Jones is still unavailable for selection in domestic competitions, so it is a no-brainer for the Scouser to occupy the left side of the midfield for this game.

The last spot should belong to Harvey Elliott. Even if the likes of Stefan Bajcetic or Thiago Alcantara were fit, it would be very harsh to leave out Liverpool's young diamond after his recent showings off the bench.

Elliott has been immense in various cameos this season, and his performance against Everton, after coming on from the bench, was game-changing.

ATTACKING DILEMMA

If Ben Doak is fit, this would be the perfect opportunity to once again give the 17-year-old wonderkid some crucial European experience.

While it is unknown if the Scotsman has fully recovered from the muscle injury he sustained on international duty, it was said to only be a minor knock so there are hopes he could be fit in time for the clash.

However, if he isn't fully fit, or Klopp opts not to risk the youngster, Mohamed Salah will likely start instead.

Meanwhile, Darwin Nuñez is almost certain to start as the central striker. Not only is he in incredible form this season, but he did not start the Merseyside derby – after his late arrival back from the South American World Cup qualifiers.

As well as that, his direct competition is Cody Gakpo, who hasn't featured for the Reds since picking up his injury against Tottenham. While it was hopeful that the Dutchman would feature against Everton, he failed to make the squad.

It is unlikely that he is thrown in at the deep in with a start against Toulouse, with it far more likely that he makes the bench and comes on later in the game.

Diogo Jota could be in line for a start off the left. Luis Diaz has now established himself as part of Liverpool's first-choice starting XI when he is fit, and it is likely that he will be saved for Nottingham Forest at the weekend.