Liverpool fans here in the Transfer Tavern are loving being back in the Champions League and are hoping to go one better than the two all draw last week against Sevilla

Defensive frailties have been the main bugbear of Liverpool’s season so far. Having missed out on Virgil van Dijk over the summer, the Reds failed to bring in a quality centre-back and are very much paying for it.

With much confusion in the back line and Klopp’s indecisive decision to name a Goalkeeping number one, often rotating between Mignolet and Karius. Their Champions League campaign started by conceding a goal within the first five minutes.

The Landlord here was pleased to see Philippe Coutinho welcomed back into the first team and his influence going forward alongside Sadio Mane and Mo Salah make Liverpool a dangerous outfit going forward.

Many of our punters believe if Klopp can sort out his defence, the red half of Liverpool can go on and be a decent outfit, with this starting eleven he can start to mould that side.

Simon Mignolet

After saving a penalty over the weekend and securing the three points, Klopp will want to start getting a regular No.1 between the sticks. Mignolet can carry that confidence over from the penalty save to produce a big performance.

Making his Champions League first start, he’ll be looking at keeping a clean sheet against Spartak and relegate his teammate Karius to a subs role. A commanding and assured showing can make the difference.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

With long-term right-back Nathaniel Clyne out injured at the moment and Joe Gomez’s late red card last time out, this week gives Trent Alexander-Arnold the chance to prove what a talent he his. His form has had calls for him to be the starting first choice but a recent dip in form has shown he’s not quite there yet.

Having come through the Liverpool ranks, he’ll be wanting to show Klopp and the fans that he can be the regular fullback in years to come, though.

Joel Matip

The only consistent presence in the Liverpool defence this year is the partnership of Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren. Having shipped in plenty of goals this year, Klopp remains faithful to these to players.

They’ll be desperate to plug the leaks and both need big performances to repay the Manager’s faith, because on recent goals conceded both could be in line on the chopping board come January.

Dejan Lovren

Having recently been passed fit following injury, Lovren can re-pair up with centre-back partner Matip. It’s no secret that Liverpool and Klopp suffer defensive headaches this season, only keeping two clean sheets in the past ten games and once in 12 in the Champions League.

Both him and Matip need to put in an old-fashioned tough performance to help stop the rate their conceding and its important for Matip to have a good showing, so he can repay that faith showed by Klopp.

Andrew Robertson

Klopp’s only defensive summer signing, former Hull City left-back Robertson is set to replace Alberto Moreno as Klopp’s has swapped and chopped his defence all season.

Robertson will be wanting to show he’s worth the summer investment with a solid game and a helping hand towards that clean sheet they’ll all be looking for will put him ahead of Moreno in the race for the fullback position.

James Milner

Making a difference at the weekend, Milner will look to start against Spartak this week. His experience and ability to make Liverpool tick could prove the difference in game week two.

Klopp loves the energy and attacking quality the ever-reliable Milner brings. With him not being a regular first-team player this season, Milner could use this game to stake his claim for more starts in the future.

Emre Can

The German midfielder is another Liverpool player to make his injury comeback in recent weeks. Can will be looking at getting on the goal trail to revive Liverpool’s fortunes and finding the back of the net in Russia could be the perfect way to start.

The midfield has been quite settled this year, barring injuries, and like the rest of the team will be working hard to grind out what can be a difficult matchup.

Georginio Wijnaldum

The Dutch midfielder has impressed since his move from Newcastle United last season, an ever-present fixture in a Klopp side that has resembled a revolving door this season, Georginio Wijnaldum has been at his consistent best.

With competition for places heightened due to the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, he’ll be looking to once again perform and help Liverpool to the win.

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool’s front three have looked good this year and summer signing Salah has definitely hit the ground running. Scoring on his Liverpool Champions League debut last time out, Salah will be looking at keeping the run going.

Against a weak and slow defence Salah pace could be the difference, as long as the Liverpool back line improve this could be a good game week.

Roberto Firmino

The other scorer in the two-all draw versus Sevilla on game week one, Firmino will be out to impress once again. The returning Mane and Coutinho will be keeping the places for one of the top three positions hard to keep.

If Firmino can replicate his goal and maybe more this week, it’ll be a good headache for Klopp to have.

Saido Mane

Liverpool fans will be delighted the Senegal winger is back after suspension in the league. The returning Coutinho might not be risked for the long trip to Russia, so it opens up a space and opportunity for Mane to stake a claim.

Against Spartak’s slow and often prone to mistakes defence, Mane will be wanting to capitalise on any chances he’s given.