Preview: Girona vs. Liverpool – team news, lineups Darwin dropped, who replaces Alexis? Predicted Liverpool XI…

Preview: Girona vs. Liverpool – Predicted starting XI , team updates, lineups

Darwin is out; who will take Alexis’s place? Projected Liverpool starting lineup

After a weather-related domestic match cancellation, Liverpool is eager to secure their sixth consecutive victory in the 2024-25 Champions League as they face La Liga’s rising team, Girona, on Tuesday.

Arne Slot’s squad had their anticipated Merseyside derby against Everton postponed due to severe winds exceeding 90 mph, while Girona suffered a heavy defeat to Real Madrid in their latest La Liga encounter.

In a bid to create excitement in the final Premier League Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, both Everton and Liverpool were instead thwarted by Storm Darragh, leading to the historic clash being rescheduled as the country dealt with strong winds and heavy rainfall.

While Slot’s team will need to adjust their plans for another midweek match in 2025 when the derby is rescheduled, the postponement was not detrimental for the Premier League leaders, who maintain a significant advantage over Arsenal and Chelsea at the top of the league standings.

In fact, the Reds may have benefited from a brief domestic pause following their thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St James’ Park, a result that ended their seven-match winning streak across all competitions but kept Slot unbeaten in away matches since taking charge.

Viewing the draw positively, Liverpool has scored multiple goals in each of their last nine matches in all competitions, a run that includes a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Real Madrid on matchday five, which has helped them maintain a perfect record in the revamped tournament.

With a two-point lead at the top of the 36-team table and already guaranteed at least a playoff spot, Liverpool aims to continue their resurgence in Spain; they have won their last two Champions League matches against Spanish teams after previously failing to secure a victory in any of the prior eight encounters.

Liverpool’s past encounters in Spain have typically involved more esteemed rivals than Girona, who have struggled to recapture the remarkable form that led them to an unexpected third-place finish in the 2023-24 La Liga season.

With key players like Artem Dovbyk, Savinho, Eric Garcia, Yan Couto, and Aleix Garcia departing, Michel’s revamped squad has delivered a mixed bag of performances in the top division, accumulating 22 points from 16 matches and currently sitting in eighth place.

The hosts have faced some tough lessons during their inaugural Champions League campaign.

Although they secured a 2-0 victory against Slovan Bratislava on matchday three, they have been defeated by Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, and most recently, Sturm Graz.

Girona’s position at 30th would see them eliminated at the first stage, and Michel’s team is not in optimal condition to host Liverpool; they recently endured a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid and were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by lower-league UD Logrones on penalties.

Nevertheless, prior to their loss to Real Madrid, the White and Reds had achieved three consecutive home victories, providing a glimmer of hope for their supporters ahead of their first competitive encounter with Liverpool or any English side.

Liverpool will be without Alexis Mac Allister for the Merseyside derby due to suspension, and he will also miss this match after accumulating yellow cards in the Champions League, with his domestic ban extending to the match against Fulham next Saturday.

Mac Allister is expected to be one of seven Liverpool players unavailable for the clash with Girona, as Alisson Becker (hamstring), Federico Chiesa (fitness), and Diogo Jota (abdominal) are nearing recovery but not quite ready, while Kostas Tsimikas (ankle), Ibrahima Konate (knee), and Conor Bradley (hamstring) will be sidelined for a longer period.

Curtis Jones is expected to team up with Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper midfield role due to Mac Allister’s absence.

Meanwhile, the formidable Mohamed Salah is on track to achieve a personal record for assists in a single UEFA Champions League season if he provides an assist in this match, having already recorded four assists in the current tournament.

For Girona, right-back Arnau Martinez will return after serving a European suspension during the recent defeat to Sturm Graz. However, they will be without key winger Viktor Tsygankov, who is sidelined with an adductor injury.

Yaser Asprilla, formerly of Watford, is likely to take Tsygankov’s position on the right flank, while Bryan Gil, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and former Everton player Arnaut Danjuma are vying for a starting spot on the left.

Additionally, Yangel Herrera is unavailable due to a calf injury, and Colombian midfielder Jhon Solis will require assessment following a sprain that kept him out of the match against Real Madrid.

Possible starting lineup for Girona:

Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Romeu; Asprilla, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Miovski

Possible starting lineup for Liverpool:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo.