Champions League team news and prediction: Liverpool vs Atalanta

Liverpool will join Premier League counterparts Chelsea in the next round of the Champions League with a win over Atalanta tonight. The Reds come into the clash with the Italian side on the back of a fine 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday, whereas Atalanta's form of late has deserted them, with Gian Piero Gasperini overseeing just one victory in their last six, that coming at promoted side Crotone. 

Ahead of tonight's Champions League meeting at Anfield, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including their group stage so far, team news and predicted XIs.  

When is kick off?  

Wednesday 25th November, 20:00 GMT 

Where is the match?  

Anfield, Liverpool 

Where can I watch it?  

BT Sport 2 

Group Stage So Far 

Liverpool have won all three matches so far and top Group D as a result. The Reds have scored eight and conceded none, the latter all the more impressive considering the injury issues at the back. Jurgen Klopp's side came through their two major tests with flying colours, following up a 1-0 win at Ajax with a 5-0 thrashing of Atalanta in Bergamo. Victory tonight will see them book their spot in the next round of the competition. 

Atalanta kicked off their group stage campaign on a high, smashing Midtjylland 4-0 in Denmark, but failed to build on that resounding victory. The Italian side at least came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with in Ajax in the battle for second, but having already faced the Dutch side and Liverpool on home turf, they'll need to secure a result at Anfield if they are to harbour any hopes of securing a place in the last-16.

Team News 

Liverpool boast a lengthy injury list, added to it by Naby Keita after he suffered a hamstring problem shortly after the restart in Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester. Thiago and Jordan Henderson also miss the welcome of Atalanta, so Fabinho's return is a welcome boost to Jurgen Klopp. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also absent for the Reds. 

However, better news for Liverpool is that Mohamed Salah was back in training this week after he sat out the welcome of Leicester having tested positive for COVID-19 during the international break, but in turn, Roberto Firmino sat out training on Tuesday, casting doubts over his availability tonight. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhys Williams will be assessed, with the latter competing with Neco Williams for a place in the starting XI depending on who Klopp elects to play in midfield between Fabinho and James Milner. 

In the Atalanta camp, Ruslan Malinovskiy tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with Ukraine and he sits out the trip to Merseyside. Fabio Depaoli was forced off in Atalanta's 0-0 draw with Spezia over the weekend and is ruled out. Cristiano Piccini replaced Depaoli, and then picked up a knock, but he has travelled with the squad. Mattia Caldara and Matteo Ruggeri are both injured. 

Probable XIs 

Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Milner, R. Williams, Matip, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Jones; Mane, Salah, Jota 

Atalanta (3421) - Sportiello; Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti; Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pasalic, Gomez; Zapata

Key Battle - Andy Robertson vs Robin Gosens

Andy Robertson is Liverpool's only fit regular starting defender, but the Scot comes into the welcome of Atalanta on the back of a fine attacking showing against Leicester at the weekend. Indeed, the left-back's performance in the 3-0 win over the Foxes saw him make the Premier League team of the week and he'll hope to follow that up with another fine showing tonight.

There was a period when Robin Gosens was linked with a Premier League move over the summer, but the German remained in Italy. A key man in the way Atalanta play, the 26-year-old missed the 5-0 loss to Liverpool this month and his absence impacted their attack. With one goal and two assists to his name in Serie A this season, Gosens is a player Liverpool need to be wary of tonight, particularly with the Germany international granted license to bombard down the left.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Atalanta