With a 5-1 lead from the first leg, Jurgen Klopp is set to make significant changes when Liverpool hosts Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday.
The damage has been done for the Czechs, and it would take a miracle for the visitors to even come close to overcoming their first-leg deficit at the Letna Stadium. Stranger things have occurred, perhaps. Just not very frequently.
With Manchester United coming up in the FA Cup quarter-finals later that week, Klopp will be determined to rest as many of his big guns as possible for Thursday night’s game at Anfield, especially considering the current list of absentees.
Klopp cannot afford to lose any more of his walking wounded, so putting too many of them in what is an effective dead-rubber situation is a delicate balancing act that he must master. In many respects, that is the most difficult job the manager faces, despite the fact that a spot in the Europa League quarterfinals is nearly guaranteed.
Adrian, the third-choice goalkeeper, may make his season debut in lieu of Caoimhin Kelleher, while Jarell Quansah is anticipated to start at centre-back. Joe Gomez may be asked to play in the centre beside him, with Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas rounding out the back five.
In midfield, Carabao Cup final hero James McConnell can patrol the engine room as a defensive midfielder, with Bobby Clark and Harvey Elliott further forward. The latter has recently been pushed to his limits, but he is a necessity, and he may be replaced after 45 minutes by Dominik Szoboszlai, who could benefit from the minutes.
Up top, perhaps the most pressing issue for Klopp to address is what to do with Mohamed Salah. Liverpool’s leading scorer has only started one game this year, on January 1, and could use the minutes given the amount of time he’s been out with a muscle injury.
However, the Reds must be concerned about exacerbating the situation, as Egypt has granted their plea to withdraw him from international duty later this month. It’s a major issue for Klopp to consider as he strives to get his leading marksman back on track as soon as possible.
Elsewhere, it could be a nice opportunity for Cody Gakpo to get momentum through the middle, though Jayden Danns could also be considered after missing the last few days due to a concussion. The youthful striker has two senior goals and will be eager for the opportunity to add to his record. Lewis Koumas scored his first senior goal against Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round.
Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, you believe, will sit this one out, considering what happens later that week. Both players have been needed in recent weeks, so today is an excellent opportunity to rest some tired legs, especially following Sunday’s exertions against Manchester City.
Mateusz Musialowski may have a shot. The youthful Pole was part of the group that flew to Prague last week and may be able to relieve the workload of his more experienced colleagues. That may be a wildcard pick, but it is at least available to Klopp as he prepares another cautious team selection.
Kaide Gordon may be more optimistic about his chances after playing in the group game against Union Saint-Gilloise. Gordon has come a long way back to the periphery of the first team following a long-term injury that kept him out for nearly 18 months, and he will be looking forward to another call-up.
The most important concern for Liverpool is to avoid further injuries. It may result in a match that is not as well-known as some of the club’s European masterpieces from the past, but there are more pressing matters at hand.
