Liverpool have been in rampant form since the season started and have maintained a 100% winning record that leaves them five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Indeed, their most recent 3-1 victory over Newcastle was a particularly good one, bearing in mind they come from a goal down to win with ease. The front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are once again in fine fettle and have already claimed ten goals between them in the five Premier League games played so far.
Still, defensively the Reds have been beatable and have conceded a goal in every game this season apart from their win away against Burnley.
Obviously, Jurgen Klopp has plenty of options to rotate but with Napoli being their toughest test in the group stages last season (Goal actually described it as the worst performance of his reign), the European champions will have to be at their very best to come away from Italy with any points.
So with that in mind, how will the German line up against Napoli?
As mentioned, the attacking three of Mane, Salah and Firmino are in great form right now and Jurgen Klopp shouldn’t think twice about keeping the trio in the starting line-up. The latter was obviously rested from the start over the course of the weekend but was heavily praised by his boss for his part in putting the Magpies to the sword.
Elsewhere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played 75 minutes against Newcastle (as per Transfermarkt) but Jordan Henderson offers a lot more defensively which could be handy in a tricky Champions League away game, with the Italian having caused problems last season.
In the Premier League this season, Henderson has averaged two tackles per game, 0.8 interceptions and 1.5 fouls, (via WhoScored) which can slow the game down and prevent Napoli from gaining any momentum.
Utilising Fabinho at the base of midfield just in front of the back four is an idea Klopp seems likely to use given how often the former Monaco man has operated there since his arrival, like he did against Newcastle.
The Brazilian has averaged 2.6 tackles per game so far (WhoScored) and his work-rate is much needed in midfield.
As for the back four, there is no need to change with a 100% winning record intact, even despite their leakage of goals compared to last season.
How would you line up? Join the discussion by commenting below…
