Liverpool look to maintain their 100% record in the Europa League as they travel to France today for the return fixture with Toulouse. Their meeting a few weeks ago at Anfield went smoothly for the Reds. Now, with a host of players unavailable, it will be an interesting trip no doubt. Let’s see what you should watch for.
The continued rise of Jarrell Quansah – With Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk not making the trip because of an illness, this should be another opportunity for Quansah to prove his worth.
He has been a pleasant surprise thus far this season as he has been thrust into the deep end and he has not looked lost at anytime. His composure belies a player of his age and relative lack of experience.
Watching him try and shut down the Toulouse attack could be a highlight of the trip for the Reds.
How much youth will Jurgen Klopp field? – Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo seem like locks to start with Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones also not making the trip. Mac Allister won’t be available at the weekend due to yellow card accumulation.
The third midfield spot will probably go to Harvey Elliott unless Klopp wants to go all in for the trip to France.
Ben Doak who I thought could use this competition as his coming out party is finally fit again and should feature in some capacity in the match.
Can Liverpool get off on the right foot and put it away early? – The Reds have not made things easy on themselves in a lot of matches this season as they have looked sluggish and out of sorts at the beginning of matches.
On a cold night in France, that could very well be on the cards again. Klopp will be on his men to come out aggressive and drive the machine forward. Get some early goals and make this a good trip.
Any lethargy early on will spur the home support, which in European action is amplified across the continent.