Sterling Out, Ibe Starts: Predicted Liverpool Line-Up To Face Besiktas

Liverpool will be looking to secure a first leg advantage when they face Besiktas at Anfield in the Europa League on Thursday night. Here is the side I think Brendan Rodgers will pick:

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet continued his recent good form against Crystal Palace on Saturday and with Brad Jones still injured, it’s almost certain he’ll start again this weekend.

Defence: Rodgers has stuck with a settled back three lately and I don’t see him making any changes for this game. Despite injuries in midfield, Emre Can continued in defence last time out and I think we’ll see the German once again line-up alongside Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho at the back tomorrow night.

Midfield: Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of the game with the hamstring injury he suffered against Spurs so he joins Lucas Leiva on the sidelines. Joe Allen was selected alongside Jordan Henderson against Palace and I think the Welshman is likely to continue in that role against Besiktas. Lazar Markovic is suspended after being handed a four-match ban for his sending off in the Champions League but Jordon Ibe is set to be recalled after being ineligible in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Attack: Raheem Sterling continues to be a doubt with a foot injury that’s forced him to miss the last two games and I don’t see Rodgers taking any chances with the attacker, especially with Southampton coming up on Sunday. So I think we’ll see Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho continue to support Daniel Sturridge in attack, with Sterling perhaps being named on the bench if he passes a late fitness test.

Here is how I think we’ll see Liverpool line-up:

What do you think of the team? What line-up would you go with?