Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may be forced to start three players vs Sparta Prague

According to express.co, Jurgen Klopp may be obliged to start three Liverpool players that he would like to rest against Sparta Prague owing to the club’s continuous injury issue. The Reds will play the Czech First League leaders in Prague for the first time in the Europa League since December. The two teams face in the round of 16, alongside the group winners. Liverpool had the benefit of playing the return game at Anfield. Ideally, Klopp would have wanted to thoroughly rotate his side knowing what awaits them in the Premier League this weekend.

The two teams face in the round of 16, alongside the group winners. Liverpool had the benefit of playing the return game at Anfield. Ideally, Klopp would have wanted to thoroughly rotate his side knowing what awaits them in the Premier League this weekend.

Liverpool will face Premier League championship rivals Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday afternoon (3.45pm), following their match against Sparta in Prague on Thursday night (5.45pm). Klopp is presently missing ten players owing to injuries, but will be hoping to welcome top goalscorer Mohamed Salah back to his team for the weekend.

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In addition, top goalkeeper Alisson, first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, crucial midfielders Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara, in-form attacker Diogo Jota, and depth options Ryan Gravenberch, Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak, and Joel Matip remain injured. That means Klopp has less space for movement than he would like. Captain Virgil van Dijk might be expected to start his eighth match in a row since January 31. Jarell Quansah is almost expected to start, with Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez as potential starters.

Klopp may ask Van Dijk and Konate to split 45 minutes apiece, like they did in the previous FA Cup victory against Southampton. This is due in part to the new ‘Mr Versatile’ Gomez’s ability to start at right back. Conor Bradley has started the previous five games, playing 397 of a possible 480 minutes. The stand-in right-back has had a significant impact, and having him at full sharpness against City might be crucial. Bradley’s best bet could be to make a late appearance off the bench in the Europa League.

In addition to Van Dijk, Klopp may have to start Wataru Endo and Darwin Nunez. The two returned from injuries in the late win against Nottingham Forest as 60th-minute substitutes. However, Klopp intends to start the two against City, and in order to assure their sharpness against the triple winners at Anfield, the German may give them 60-minute run-outs at Stadion Letna.