Ludogorets vs. Liverpool: How the Reds Should Line Up in Champions League Game

Liverpool travel to Bulgaria to face PFC Ludogorets Razgrad on Matchday 4 of the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Brendan Rodgers' side are looking to end a four-game losing streak in all competitions, including a defeat last time out in this competition in Madrid.

The corresponding encounter against the Champions League debutants at Anfield back in September saw Liverpool scrape victory with a stoppage-time Steven Gerrard penalty.

After another disappointing defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday, Rodgers must decide whether to drop underperforming players or keep a similar side and hope they find some form to jell together.

Jordan Henderson (illness) and Mario Balotelli (hamstring) missed the match at Selhurst Park at the weekend; Henderson returns to the squad for the trip to Sofia while Balotelli remains sidelined, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo. 

Here's how Liverpool should line up for the match against Ludogorets, based upon how we expect Rodgers to pick the side.

Defence

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Despite concerns over his suitability to being Liverpool's goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet will start for the Reds.

Ahead of him, Rodgers will likely keep faith with calamitous duo Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren—a decision that isn't likely to please supporters, especially given Kolo Toure's impressive showing last time out in the Champions League.

The Ivorian was arguably Liverpool's best player against Real Madrid but hasn't featured since.

At full-back, Alberto Moreno will surely return at left-back, leaving Glen Johnson and Javier Manquillo to contest the right-back spot.

Rodgers has looked towards experience in Johnson, as much as supporters may disagree with the former England man being anywhere near the side, recently.

Expected back four: Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno

Midfield

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Moving into midfield, where Rodgers has been urged to change captain Gerrard's role by former defender Jamie Carragher, as per Sky Sports' Monday Night Football (via This Is Anfield).

With so little time between matches, it's unlikely Rodgers will move Gerrard from the deepest midfield position though. If he did, Lucas Leiva or Emre Can would be the options to come in to the defensive midfield role.

Henderson, fitness depending, will come back into the side, meaning either Adam Lallana, Joe Allen or Philippe Coutinho will make way from the starting XI against Palace.

Allen was the Reds' best performer in the defeat on Sunday so it would be harsh to leave out the Welshman.

Expected midfield: Gerrard, Henderson, Allen

Attack

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

With Balotelli still sidelined, Rickie Lambert should continue upfront.

Rodgers may bring in Fabio Borini to support the England international, either alongside him, playing Raheem Sterling in the No. 10 role or playing Borini wide on the left and Sterling on the right.

Expected attack: Lambert, Borini, Sterling

Overall XI

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

That means a starting XI of: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson, Allen; Sterling, Borini, Lambert.

That side could line up in either a midfield diamond shape or a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1.

That leaves subs of Toure, Manquillo, Lucas, Coutinho, Lallana, Lazar Markovic and goalkeeper Brad Jones.