Liverpool missing two players for ideal Europa League XI as Klopp faces dilemma

Liverpool will be able to use the Europa League to experiment with their squad and hand minutes to fringe players to impress as Jurgen Klopp shapes up what his starting lineup could be. The Reds begin their group stage campaign later in September with Klopp likely to rotate and rest his star players, but it won’t be a straightforward choice for the German boss to choose which players will feature in Europe for their initial six-game schedule. Klopp has already submitted his 25-man squad to UEFA, as it is customary to do so the day after the summer transfer window closes, with new signings Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister all involved. That shows that he is taking it seriously, but he will be predominantly looking to use the competition to hand precious first-team minutes to those who haven’t been used as much in the Premier League. The likes of Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez may be resigned to playing second fiddle to the likes of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. But in being pitted against LASK Linz, Union St Gilloise and Toulouse, Klopp will likely trust his backup full-backs to come in and do a job. Jurgen Klopp: The Liverpool boss will use the Europa League for rotation. (Image: Getty) The use of Gomez to replace Alexander-Arnold could create problems elsewhere, though. Joel Matip’s fitness issues means there will always be some doubts over his availability, while Ibrahima Konate has also been hampered by injury in the past. Gomez is fourth in the pecking order at centre-back, and if Klopp wants to use him to give Alexander-Arnold a breather, he may have to turn to his youth. Jarell Quansah has played in pre-season and did not look out of place, and the 20-year-old demonstrated that he may be an option to use in dead rubber games or ones that Liverpool would expect to win. Failing that, Conor Bradley has also caught the eye since returning from his loan spell at Bolton and performed well in the hybrid role that Alexander-Arnold enjoys. Jarell Quansah: The youngster has been used by Klopp already this season. (Image: Getty) Virgil van Dijk: The Liverpool captain may have to play. (Image: Getty)