Jurgen Klopp to make 6 changes against Napoli and hand out debut: Predicted starting lineup to face Napoli

Predicting the Liverpool starting lineup to face Napoli is tricky given the options available to Jurgen Klopp but a debut for Arthur is possible.

The German has some big calls to make as his team gets its Champions League campaign underway.

On Wednesday night, the Reds will make a dreaded trip to Naples where they will face one of their bogey teams of late.

Napoli away is never a game that Liverpool fans look forward to when it comes up on the fixture list.

With some players needing a rest and others needing some valuable minutes in their legs, just who will Klopp select for the upcoming game?

Liverpool starting XI to face Napoli

Goalkeeper: Alisson

History suggests that Alisson will be the first-choice goalkeeper for the league and Champions League games.

While the Brazilian is likely to sit out Carabao Cup and FA Cup fixtures through the season, there is no way he will be missing from the lineup for this one.

Right Back: Joe Gomez

Much has been made of a worrying lack of form when it comes to full-back sensation Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Truthfully, the 23-year-old looks absolutely shattered as he has racked up a lot of minutes over the last couple of seasons.

No true cover for his position has led to the England international being forced to step onto the field over and over again.

Injury issues easing at centre back could allow Joe Gomez to vacate this area and give his teammate a much-needed rest.

Defensive stability could be key for the Reds and Gomez is a stronger option to Trent in that aspect of the game.

Centre Back: Joel Matip

Coming on for a cameo at Goodison Park, Joel Matip’s return is one of the very few positives to come from the goalless draw.

Matip could well allow Gomez to move to full-back and in doing so, partner up with van Dijk once again to try and regain some stability at the back.

What he lacks in pace, he most definitely makes up for in positional intelligence and reading of the game.

Centre Back: Virgil van Dijk

A very inconsistent and unusual season of performances so far for van Dijk has fans concerned.

Struggling to consistently pick out those big diagonals he is so well known for and being more vulnerable defensively, the Dutch captain will be looking to play himself into form.

Left Back: Andy Robertson

Having been left on the bench for the derby at the weekend, Klopp will hope that re-ignites a fire in Robbo’s belly.

Another player suffering from burnout will hopefully benefit from the odd game spent on the sidelines.

Despite coming on for Kostas Tsimikas in the second half on Saturday, Klopp would have done so with an eye on this tricky encounter.

Defensive Midfielder: Fabinho

Jordan Henderson has been ruled out for the upcoming games with a hamstring injury and this will impact Fabinho’s minutes.

The skipper is the only real backup in the holding midfield position so Klopp will need to ask the Brazilian to go again.

Thiago Alcantara returned to training on Monday and his return could potentially take some of the defensive workload off the shoulders of Fabinho.

Defensive Midfielder: Arthur

Wednesday is likely to be too soon for Thiago to start the game but Liverpool did make a deadline day signing that could come in.

Loan signing Arthur Melo might be called upon sooner than expected for the trip to Italy.

Having come from Serie A, Arthur will be familiar with the style of football Napoli play and could cope with the speed a bit better.

Another reason this makes sense to me is that Klopp changed his formation in the second half against Everton and I wonder if this is a sign of things to come.

Arthur has the ability to sit in beside his Brazilian international teammate and add some more stability defensively as has been pointed out multiple times.

The number of fully fit midfielders at the club is dwindling with every passing game also. A change in the system would mean only two midfielders are required as opposed to three.

Attacking Midfielder: Roberto Firmino

Firmino has surprisingly been the club’s biggest goal threat in the previous few games.

Seeming to have his own personal barrel with Jordan Pickford on Saturday, Firmino forced save after save from the keeper as he found plenty of space.

This role behind a striker could suit the skillful samba star as he is allowed to drop deep to support his midfield while there is an additional player up front.

It would not be a surprise to see him in the Liverpool starting lineup to face Napoli.

Right Wing: Mo Salah

A crisis of confidence, defenders figuring him out or just bad luck?

Salah’s performances of late are baffling.

Such a reliable goal scorer appears unable to find any space to get a decent strike at goal.

Playing more of a creator’s role so far this season, no doubt the Egyptian will be desperate to get his name back in the headlines for the right reasons.

Left Wing: Luis Diaz

Crashing a shot against Pickford’s post on Saturday left Luis Díaz inches away from becoming a hero on the red side of Merseyside.

Being an energetic and hardworking spark for Klopp’s team this season, Díaz will look to add to his three goals for the campaign.

Striker: Diogo Jota

The Anfield faithful has been licking their lips ever since they heard Diogo Jota was back in training last week.

Being a reliable and regular source of goals last season, Jota has somewhat become a forgotten man.

As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder and with the current plight of Darwin Núñez, Klopp may opt for a man more likely to take any chance that falls his way.

Will this be Jurgen Klopp’s starting lineup in Naples or will there be other changes?