How Liverpool could line up against Sparta Prague

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will once again be working with at least nine missing players for Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg with Sparta Prague at epet Arena.

All of Joel Matip (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Diogo Jota (knee), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle), Curtis Jones (shin), Alisson Becker (hamstring), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Ryan Gravenberch (ankle) are out of contention, and only Jones might be fit for the weekend's battle with Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is on course to return to team training at some point this week, but Klopp will certainly not be expected to risk the Egyptian in midweek as he casts one eye over to the impending visit of the champions.

Four fitness boosts arrived at the weekend, though, as Andrew Robertson, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez all saw the field against Nottingham Forest; the latter came up with an extraordinary 99th-minute winner on his competitive return.

However, Nunez may be overlooked for a start on Thursday night given his recent layoff, and Luis Diaz is also on the chopping block ahead of an expected start alongside the Uruguayan and Salah against Man City.

As a result, talented teenager Lewis Koumas is firmly in contention to join Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo in the final third, but Jayden Danns is out due to concussion.

A lack of midfield alternatives means that Endo and Szoboszlai might be thrown back in, though, and James McConnell is a candidate to join the experienced trio, as is Bobby Clark after his first Premier League start at the weekend.

Caoimhin Kelleher continues to deputise expertly in goal for Alisson, and a handful of defensive alterations could see Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah selected to accompany Virgil van Dijk at the back.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; McConnell, Endo, Szoboszlai; Elliott, Gakpo, Koumas