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Tricky Liverpool decisions may soon be removed for Jürgen Klopp and at least two players will miss out

Liverpool needs to try for a comeback against Atalanta in the Europa League. But there is a benefit for Jürgen Klopp if his side is knocked out next week.
Given Liverpool’s history with European comebacks, another famous night in the Europa League cannot be completely ruled out. It is possible that the Reds could provide a memorable occasion in Bergamo next Thursday to book a semi-final place.

 

Already 3-0 down and fortunate not to be further behind, however, Jürgen Klopp’s side is considerably more likely to win the Premier League than the Europa League from here. No one would have predicted that for Liverpool even two days ago, but that is the reality after a disappointing Anfield performance.

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If Liverpool was to exit the Europa League, as now looks near-certain, it could have something of a benefit in the remaining league games. While Arsenal and Manchester City will hope to progress (and meet each other in) the Champions League semi-finals, Liverpool would only have the Premier League to focus on.

 

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Nothing less than seven wins from seven games will be enough to win the title and even that would not guarantee it. If Klopp’s men can be perfect from now until the end of the campaign, though, there is very much a chance.

 

If Liverpool is knocked out of Europe next week, that would clarify a few selection decisions for the Reds too. Only being in one competition, only a few weeks after talk ramped up about a possible quadruple, would suddenly make the calendar look a lot less congested. As a result, there would be a lot fewer minutes up for grabs for those on the periphery.

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Kostas Tsimikas, for instance, who looked every inch like a player who has barely played for months during his 45 minutes against Atalanta, would be unlikely to get another look-in. Ryan Gravenberch is another who is low enough down the current pecking order to be impacted.

 

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Even during the week that Liverpool has away trips to Fulham, Everton and then West Ham in the league — potentially a pivotal seven days in the title race — fewer changes would be required without a looming European semi-final to consider. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, for instance, would be able to get that extra half an hour that they might otherwise not have been afforded.

 

In an ideal world, Liverpool will be able to fight on two fronts for the remainder of the season and next Thursday will go down as another famous European night. More realistically, though, the Reds will most likely have their focus refined ahead of a big week, without a trip to Dublin being on the table.

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As a consequence of the Europa League dream having almost certainly been quashed, Klopp’s need for rotation could soon be diminished. In that instance, tricky team selections would be a thing of the past, meaning going as strong as possible in each remaining fixture rather than trying to get the balance right would take care of itself.

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