Champions League

LIVERPOOL have zero injuries going into tonight’s Champions League clash with Benfica.But Jurgen Klopp may still drop struggling star Mo Salah.
Mo Salah could start on the bench against Benfica tonightCredit: AFP

The Reds continue their ambitious quest for the quadruple with a trip to the Stadium of Light in Lisbon tonight.
There were fears over Curtis Jones, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita – but all have been given the green light.
Klopp alleviated those doubts, though, and said: “Yes full squad available, absolutely.
“Curtis was a little swelling, it appeared overnight, fine. Same as Joel, which was very helpful because it looked really strange.
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“Trent now four or five days [in training], not sure exactly, but he’s ready as well.”
However, Salah may start the Champions League quarter-final first leg on the bench.
The Egyptian – who is still yet to sign a contract extension – has managed a staggering 28 goals and ten assists in 37 appearances for Liverpool this term.
However, the forward’s last goal from open play came way back in February and his only strike in his last eight games for club and country was a penalty against Brighton.
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The relative barren run, coupled with double heartache for Egypt with the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying, means Klopp may decide to give Salah a rest.
The German insisted he is “happy” with the “all good” contract situation.
He added: “He might not have scored from open play, but it’s not too important. For me, the performance level is important.
“But it’s a tough period for Mo – and for Sadio [Mane] – with the Africa Cup of Nations and then the games and coming back and being immediately available for us again. That was really, really special.
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“It’s completely normal in a season to have ups and downs.
“We see him every day in training and see him playing obviously, there’s nothing to worry about.
“Apart from that, we have to manage the physical part as well.
“Of course, these players will not come to me and ask for a break, so I have to give them the break at a specific moment. Hopefully, together we use that little break and go again.”
Should Salah start among the substitutes, Mane and Luis Diaz could start in attack either side of Diogo Jota.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been cleared fit to playCredit: AFP
Jurgen Klopp has a full squad to choose from with no injuriesCredit: AFP More

GARETH BALE could start against Chelsea when Real Madrid visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday – in what could be his farewell to fans in England.Bale, 32, has made just five appearances for Los Blancos this season with his contract set to expire in the summer.
Gareth Bale scored twice in his last appearance, for Wales against AustriaCredit: Getty
Bale could start against Chelsea after being put through his paces in trainingCredit: Getty
But he showed good form over the international break with two goals for Wales in their crucial play-off game against Austria, which included a free-kick.
So Ancelotti could call upon the four-time Champions League winner to provide inspiration for his squad, report Football.London.
Bale was put through his paces in Real training this week and missed out against Celta Vigo, with the belief he was rested for the trip to London.
If Bale does feature it could be his final match on English soil.
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It has been rumoured the winger will retire if Wales fail to qualify for the World Cup, with their play-off final match against Scotland or Ukraine set to take place in June.
Should Wales qualify Bale will likely need to find a new club at the end of the season – with the MLS an option.
Another possibility is Italy with Serie A leaders AC Milan said to be interested in the former Tottenham star.
But there is still a chance Bale could return to English football, and the lure of Premier League money or a pull on his heartstrings may be difficult to resist.
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Newcastle have been tipped to sign Bale by Brazil legend Rivaldo and could certainly throw a lot of cash at the superstar.
Alternatively, Cardiff could welcome him back to his home city after Bale fuelled speculation of a move by recently speaking to Bluebirds manager Steve Morison. More

PEP GUARDIOLA had a hilarious response after being questioned as to whether he is guilty of “overthinking” his tactics in the Champions League.The Manchester City boss joked he will field 12 players in Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Guardiola joked he was going to field 12 men against Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
Guardiola and Co are hoping to go one better in the tournament this year, having lost the final to Chelsea last May.
Standing in their way though are Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, with the return leg scheduled for eight days after the clash at the Etihad.
And speaking ahead of the tie, Guardiola had a witty response after being challenged on his tendency to “overthink” in European clashes.
He said: “In the Champions League, I always overthink. Always create new tactics and new ideas and tomorrow we’ll see a new one.
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“I overthink a lot…absolutely. That’s why I’ve had very good results in the Champions League.
“My job would be boring if we always played the same way against opponents who play in different ways.”
Guardiola came under criticism last year for deciding not to field a holding midfielder in the final defeat to Chelsea.
But he insisted he will continue to chop and change his selection based on City’s opponents.
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The Spaniard continued: “So if the people can believe that I’m going to approach playing Atletico Madrid and Liverpool the same, I don’t think about that. The movements from Liverpool are completely different from Atletico Madrid.
“Especially because the players are different. Every player has a mother and a father and every mother and father have different types of personalities and different types of players.”
While playing against an irresistible City side may well sometimes feel like playing against 12 men, Guardiola joked he would do exactly that on Tuesday night.
He concluded: “I have to adapt and adjust, that’s why I love to overthink and create stupid tactics again.
“Tonight I will take inspiration and I’m going to do incredible tactics, we will play with 12 tomorrow.” More