Liverpool could take a giant stride towards qualifying for the Champions League knockout rounds when they face Atalanta BC for the first time ever on Tuesday night.

The Reds have won two from two so far to take control of Group D, but Atalanta are also unbeaten in their opening two games and would leapfrog their visitors in the standings with victory on Tuesday.

Liverpool go into the match off the back of four successive victories in all competitions but still have a depleted defensive line ahead of their trip to face one of Europe's most potent attacks.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Jurgen Klopp could line his side up for the contest.

Out: Fabinho (hamstring), Virgil van Dijk (knee), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee)
Doubtful: Thiago Alcantara (knee), Joel Matip (muscle), Naby Keita (unspecified), Kostas Tsimikas (thigh)

> Click here for Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Klopp will hope to see his defensive headache eased somewhat by the return of Joel Matip, although he is unlikely to take any risks over the centre-back given his lack of other options in that area of the field.

Nat Phillips put in a man-of-the-match performance against West Ham United on Saturday but is ineligible for Tuesday's match having not been included in the Champions League squad, meaning that Rhys Williams could come in alongside Joe Gomez once again.

Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk remain sidelined, but Liverpool will hope for better news on Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Kostas Tsimikas, all three of whom will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Keita joined Matip in returning to full training on Sunday and so both could play some part in this match, but Thiago is expected to miss out again having not yet resumed training himself.

Klopp will want to get Thiago back as quickly as possible, but Xherdan Shaqiri's cameo off the bench on Saturday, when he provided the assist for the winner, may be enough to earn him a rare start.

Diogo Jota scored that winner and continues to knock on the door of a more regular starting role, with Roberto Firmino's position seemingly the most vulnerable of the front three.

Jota also netted against FC Midtjylland in the Champions League last week and could become only the second player, after Robbie Keane in 2008, to score on his first two Champions League starts for the club.

James Milner could also be drafted in as Klopp looks to keep his injury-hit squad fresh, although competition for places in midfield remains fierce with the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones also in contention even if Thiago and Keita fall short.