Probable Milan XI to face Liverpool – Saelemaekers to the bench and Kessie-Tonali pivot

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has an idea in mind about the starting line-up that will take the field against Liverpool tomorrow night, it is claimed.

The Rossoneri face Jurgen Klopp’s side in what is a must-win game if they are to have a chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League. Milan must emerge victorious and hope the game between Porto and Atletico Madrid is a draw, or that Atletico win by an equal or lesser margin that Pioli’s man.

According to Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, the Milan boss should field Mike Maignan in goal, with Pierre Kalulu (favoured over Florenzi), Fikayo Tomori, Alessio Romagnoli and Theo Hernandez as the back four, despite the fact the latter missed training today with a cold.

The double pivot should be Sandro Tonali and Franck Kessie with Bakayoko therefore dropping to the bench and Bennacer not selected. Junior Messias, Brahim Diaz and Rade Krunic are tipped to get a starting spot in the trident behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, meanwhile.

Probable Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kalulu (Florenzi), Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Kessie; Messias, Diaz, Krunic; Ibrahimovic.