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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and goalkeeper Alisson Becker press conference ahead of the Europa League second-leg against Atalanta

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and goalkeeper Alisson Becker press conference ahead of the Europa League second-leg against Atalanta

Former Liverpool transfer Jude Bellingham has again explained his decision to reject a move to the Premier League in order to sign for Real Madrid last summer

Former Liverpool transfer Jude Bellingham has again explained his decision to reject a move to the Premier League in order to sign for Real Madrid last summer

Jurgen Klopp has named a 24-man squad for Liverpool's Europa League quarter-final second leg at Atalanta on Thursday

Jurgen Klopp has named a 24-man squad for Liverpool's Europa League quarter-final second leg at Atalanta on Thursday

Liverpool have named the 24 players flying to Italy for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against Atalanta, with only one expected omission.

Conor Bradley is the only notable player missing from the Reds’ travelling squad after the ankle injury sustained against Crystal Palace, which is expected to keep him sidelined for up to three weeks.

The 20-year-old joins Ben Doak, Thiago and Joel Matip on the sidelines and will watch on from Merseyside as Liverpool aim to overcome a three-goal deficit in Bergamo.

Klopp has no shortage of options when it comes to his attack, with Diogo Jota training as normal alongside Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

Jayden Danns is also on the plane having missed out on the matchday squad for the first leg – he last featured at Nottingham Forest at the start of March.

It would not be surprising to see Klopp try and squeeze four forwards into his starting lineup on Thursday, but just how much of his hand he shows off from the start remains to be seen.

The manager’s boost in options, thanks to the return of Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold, does make his XI harder to predict, though one can expect Alisson to start between the sticks.

The Brazilian has featured only once in this competition but now that he is back from injury, Caoimhin Kelleher will step aside.

There are big decisions to make across all departments and it is up to Klopp to find the one that gives Liverpool the best chance at overturning the three-goal deficit.

From the 26-man squad that trained at the AXA earlier on Wednesday, only Stefan Bajcetic and Fabian Mrozek failed to travel with the team.

Liverpool’s travelling squad to Atalanta

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Kelleher, Adrian

Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Quansah, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Tsimikas

Midfielders: Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Elliott, Jones, McConnell, Clark

Forwards: Jota, Salah, Nunez, Diaz, Gakpo, Danns

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England youth international and Liverpool right-back Isaac Mabaya has suffered yet another injury, but under-21 manager Barry Lewtas believes he can bounce back.

Last Friday, Mabaya came on at Old Trafford as Liverpool U21s beat Man United 3-0, for just his fifth appearance in 18 months.

He lasted just a few minutes, though, before being forced off with a suspected hamstring problem. His frustration was visible as he kicked the advertising hoardings and held his head in his hands.

As he walked around the edge of the pitch, even the applause from Liverpool’s travelling supporters and his teammates’ words of support couldn’t cheer him up.

“Isaac’s sadly on that list of players who’ve missed a lot of football,” under-21 boss Barry Lewtas told This Is Anfield.

“He is a fantastic character. He’s a strong boy, we’ve had these moments before with players who’ve come through the other side, we’ll just keeping working hard.”

It was the only negative on a night that saw the young Reds overwhelm Man United with superior quality.

Lewtas admitted: “That probably does take the gloss off it. You could see when he went down, how many players ran over to him.

“He’s a popular kid, he’s a great lad. I’m sure he’ll be OK.”

Mabaya’s name first came on the radar for fans when he featured for Liverpool in the pre-season of 2022. His time since, though, has largely been spent on the sidelines.

The youngster signed is first professional contract with the club in 2021 and, thankfully, Liverpool haven’t lost confidence in the 19-year-old – he signed a new long-term contract in May 2023.

Later that year, he earned a call-up for the Zimbabwe senior side, but hasn’t featured for the nation yet. He previously played for England from under-15 to under-19 level.

He is one of several right-backs in the academy who are eyeing a future spot in the first-team squad.

Conor Bradley and Trent Alexander-Arnold have both shown it is possible to come through the ranks in that position, but the subsequent academy graduates now face even greater competition due to their success.

It isn’t yet clear how long Mabaya will be kept out for with this latest problem but, at 19-years-old, time is still on his side.

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Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic thinks Ruben Amorim would be a great replacement for Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic thinks Ruben Amorim would be a great replacement for Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager

With Liverpool needing to overturn last week’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta, Jurgen Klopp may need to make changes with his team in poor form.

The match in Bergamo will require a balancing act from Klopp. Liverpool need attacking intent from the off if they are to score enough goals, but they can ill afford to to concede first again.

We know Conor Bradley isn’t available due to the ankle injury he sustained against Crystal Palace, but Trent Alexander-Arnold could be able to make his first start since February 10.

Among those that trained on Wednesday ahead of the match were Jayden Danns, Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Stefan Bajcetic, who are all available for selection.

Here’s how Liverpool could line up.

Liverpool’s XI vs. Atalanta

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The manager has a a big decision to make in attack.

Neither Mo Salah nor Darwin Nunez have been in good form of late, and Cody Gakpo will think himself worthy of a start given his recent strong performances from the bench.

Diogo Jota is also in the mix to play and Liverpool could throw caution to the wind by starting the No. 20.

Like Gakpo, Harvey Elliott has been helping to push Liverpool on in the latter stages of games, and could well start this game with Wataru Endo out of form.

Here are the likely calls that Klopp makes:

• Ibrahima Konate keeps his place despite a poor showing vs. Crystal Palace
• Nunez is dropped to the bench having scored one goal in his last six games
• Elliott is rewarded for good performances as a substitute, with Endo rested

This is how Liverpool would line up:

Alisson; Gomez; Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Elliott; Salah, Jota, Diaz

While plenty of supporters are calling for changes, particularly in the midfield and forward line, Klopp could stick to his guns and give his go-to men a last chance to prove themselves.

With Andy Robertson excelling in the last couple of matches down the left, and Bradley out injured, the manager may choose to throw Alexander-Arnold straight back in as part of an extremely attacking outfit.

We know that, over the last year, Klopp has liked the balance of having one wide full-back and one inverted full-back, a role Alexander-Arnold is by far the best at playing in the squad.

Here’s how this alternate team would look:

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

While supporters are expecting Liverpool to fly out of the blocks, it would be advisable for the Reds to take caution – one wrong move and the tie is over.

Restraint would be required from the Reds if they were to score an early goal – they can’t show naivety if they are to successfully come from behind.

If they get to 40 minutes and it is still 0-0, they need to keep their cool and patience. Remember, anything is possible.

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