Liverpool vs Maribor. UEFA Champions League Group E.
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Wednesday 1 November 2017 18:48, UK
Jurgen Klopp is not planning on rotating his Liverpool side when they face Maribor in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Reds are top of Group E on five points after thrashing the Slovenian side 7-0 in the reverse fixture.
They have several injury concerns for the game this week, but Klopp said: "I never take risks with the line-up. If a player plays, we expect him to be at 100 per cent.
"I don't think about rotation, I think about who I can line up.
"I don't think we have to rest players - we will not. I will have a look at who is fit and when I know that then I'll make the line-up. It's not about rotation, it's about who gives me the best impression."
Liverpool's win over Maribor is one of only two victories in all competitions in the last month.
However, they could put themselves in a strong position in a congested group if they beat Maribor again on Wednesday.
"If we win it 1-0, I'm fine," said Klopp. "We want three points, a clean sheet and a better position.
"I can imagine a lot of people after results like this [winning 7-0], but respect is a big problem. We know how strong they can be."
"We have to use the little advantage of being the home team, using the crowd, being spot on again. We did so well in Maribor at the end it looked like a big difference but it was only because of our start. We have to do that again."
Maribor have won both their domestic league matches since losing to Liverpool.
Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren look set to miss out for Liverpool after not training on Tuesday evening due to abductor and groin injuries respectively.
Defenders Alberto Moreno (cramp) and Joe Gomez (knock) both trained after overcoming issues from the weekend while Loris Karius will start in goal.
However, the hosts will still be without the likes of Nathaniel Clyne (back), Adam Lallana (thigh) and Sadio Mane (hamstring).
Maribor have won only one of their nine games against England opposition in all competitions (D2 L6), a 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic in the 2013/14 Europa League group stages. They have also never kept a clean sheet in those nine games.
Liverpool's victory over Maribor in the previous round was the biggest away win by an English club away from home in European competition since Arsenal defeated Standard Liège 7-0 in the Cup Winners' Cup back in November 1993.
In fact, that result equalled the biggest margin of victory by an away team in the Champions League era - level with MSK Zilina 0-7 Marseille (Nov 2010) and BATE Borisov 0-7 Shakhtar Donetsk (Oct 2014).
Liverpool come into this match enjoying an 11-game unbeaten run in the group stages (W3 D8, Champions League and Europa League).
Maribor are currently enduring a 14-game winless run in the Champions League (D5 L9) and have only managed to score one goal across their last four outings in the competition.
Can Liverpool really put to bed the questions over their home form in terms of scoring goals and being solid at the back? This is where they can really build some momentum.
A win looks a certainty and after the weekend I'd give every player who has been on the fringes, the likes of Ben Woodburn, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge the chance to come in, with six or seven changes.
They should still be way too good to worry about this team and I see nothing other than a comfortable home win.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Sturridge to score first (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Liverpool are Sky Bet's shortest-priced favourites of the week at just 1/25 to see off 33/1 shots Maribor, who are 14/1 just to hold out for a draw. Jurgen Klopp's men are now also odds-on to win Group E and 22/1 to go on and lift the trophy. Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Mohamed Salah share favouritism at 11/4 apiece in the first goalscorer betting, with all visiting players 20/1 or bigger to break the deadlock.
