How Liverpool could line up against Atalanta BC

Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp should be working with an identical group of players for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg with Atalanta BC at Anfield.

The Reds annihilated Sparta Prague 11-2 over two fixtures in their last-16 showdown, but they return to continental duty on the back of a painful 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League.

Seven players were unavailable for the latter fixture, and not one of them is expected back in time for the visit of La Dea, but Diogo Jota (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) and Alisson Becker (thigh) are in line to take part in partial team training this week.

Stefan Bajcetic (calf) is also due to return to seniors practice after building his fitness back up with the Under-21s, but Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee) and Thiago Alcantara (muscle) are no closer to comebacks.

Caoimhin Kelleher's spot in goal remains unchallenged with Alisson sidelined, while defensive stalwarts Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson should be in no danger of dropping out of the XI either.

However, Klopp may grant Conor Bradley a well-earned rest as Joe Gomez takes up residence on the right, while Ibrahima Konate should displace Jarell Quansah, guilty of a sloppy giveaway for Bruno Fernandes's effort on Sunday.

Despite Curtis Jones's return to fitness, the midfield trio of Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister should remain untouched, as Klopp is sure to give Atalanta the respect that they deserve.

Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will therefore line up out wide as ever, but Cody Gakpo - scorer of four Europa League goals this season - could force his way back into the XI over Darwin Nunez, even though the Uruguayan has one more continental effort next to his name.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz