Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will welcome captain Virgil van Dijk back to the fold with open arms for Thursday's Europa League Group E opener against LASK Linz.

The Dutchman has served a two-game domestic suspension for improper conduct, for which he also incurred a £100,000 fine, and his fresh legs could be utilised straight away.

However, Thiago Alcantara's hip problem has rendered him unavailable, while Klopp is also without the services of vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose hamstring is giving him grief.

A Premier League showdown with high-flying West Ham United is on the cards this weekend, so Klopp has chosen to keep Alexander-Arnold in bubble wrap, allowing Joe Gomez to redeem himself at right-back after being run ragged by Pedro Neto at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

On the back of a strong full debut at Molineux - albeit one which ended prematurely due to cramp - Jarell Quansah could be given another opportunity to impress at the back alongside Van Dijk, especially with Ibrahima Konate only just back from a thigh concern.

A rare start should also come the way of Kostas Tsimikas at left-back, and the same can be said for second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, as Alisson Becker drops down to the bench.

A much-changed midfield will likely see Ryan Gravenberch make his first start alongside Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo, who ought to occupy the number six role over Stefan Bajcetic given that the Spaniard is yet to play any minutes this term.

Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were both named among the substitutes against Wolves following their late returns from South America, but only the former might come back into the first XI here owing to Nunez's recent muscular problem.

Diogo Jota may therefore act at the tip of the attack, while 17-year-old protege Ben Doak is a candidate to come in for Mohamed Salah should Klopp offer the Egyptian a well-earned rest.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch; Doak, Jota, Diaz