Klopp could bring back ‘unbelievable’ £100k-a-week Liverpool star tonight; Napoli beware – TBR View

Wed 7 September 2022 16:39, UK

Liverpool get their Champions League campaign under way on Wednesday against Italian champions Napoli.

The Reds will take on Serie A’s current second-placed side at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Group A.

Liverpool have won just two of their opening six Premier League games amid an injury crisis.

The Reds go into the game on the back of a goalless draw in the Merseyside derby last Saturday.

Meanwhile, their opponents got back to winning ways last time out, winning 2-1 at Lazio.

Jurgen Klopp has a fair few decisions to make in terms of his starting XI against Napoli.

One of those is at centre-back, with Joel Matip challenging Joe Gomez for a spot alongside Virgil van Dijk.

The 31-year-old is back in the fold following a groin injury that ruled him out of three Premier League games.

Matip returned to the bench against Newcastle before getting 10 minutes in the Merseyside derby.

The defender has been eased back to fitness and we feel he’ll start against Napoli.

Though it would be a shame for Gomez, who has been in great form, the Matip – Van Dijk partnership is world-class.

And at this level, against a team like Napoli, it’s essential for Liverpool to go with their best options and partnerships.

Liverpool haven’t exactly got the best record against the Partenopei – in three trips, they have lost twice and drawn once.

And Van Dijk clearly enjoys playing alongside Matip.

“He’s a special, special character and we all appreciate him in our group,”

“Not only for his qualities – because he’s an unbelievable defender – but as a human being as well.

“He’s how everyone should take life, I think – very easy, be nice and put a lot of things in perspective.

“We all appreciate him. But it’s just been good being around everyone.”

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