Liverpool are next up against Manchester City in the Premier League with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Liverpool made it two big Anfield wins inside four days when they came from behind to thump Newcastle United 4-1 on Saturday evening. Hugo Ekitike scored twice with Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate also netting as the Reds secured their first top-flight victory of the calendar year.
Arne Slot’s side will now aim to make further inroads on the top four in the Premier League when they entertain Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
And here we look ahead to the changes Reds head coach Slot could make when his team are next in action.
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Transfer wait
With more than a week between games, Slot will have the rare luxury of being able to give his players some rest while affording time for others to work on their fitness.
It means he will most likely be able to go as strong as possible against City, although much will depend on whether any incomings arrive before Monday’s transfer deadline with Liverpool having explored the possibility of taking over right-back Lutsharel Geertruida’s loan deal at Sunderland for the remainder of the season.
The Reds will hope Joe Gomez has recovered from the hip injury that has ruled him out the last two games given Conor Bradley is missing for the season and Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined for a few weeks with a groin issue. Dominik Szoboszlai will otherwise be on standby to again deputise, with Calvin Ramsay having been on the bench of late.
The return of Ibrahima Konate from compassionate leave saw him restored alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, where both Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch featured prominently in the previous two games. Gomez is another option if fit but teenager Giovanni Leoni won’t be back until next term and Academy youngster Wellity Lucky is hamstrung. Amara Nallo featured from the bench against Qarabag in midweek.
Milos Kerkez has started nine of the last 10 Premier League games and will be favourite ahead of Andy Robertson at left-back, while Alisson Becker is first choice between the sticks ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.
Szoboszlai question
Slot sticking with a 4-2-3-1 meant Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were reunited as the double pivot in midfield on Saturday and both grew into the game.
But if Szoboszlai isn’t needed at right-back, the Hungarian is almost certain to start elsewhere and will be a contender to challenge for one of the roles, with Endo and Curtis Jones other options.
Szoboszlai could also feature at number 10 with Florian Wirtz having flitted across both wings and down the centre during his recent run of impressive form.
Teenager Trey Nyoni has had only a couple of brief substitute appearances in the Premier League while Stefan Bajcetic has yet to feature for the under-21s after a long-term hamstring injury.
Wirtz for where?
Hugo Ektike is likely to be among the first names on the teamsheet given his brace against Newcastle turned the game in Liverpool’s favour and extended his run to nine goals in 12 games.
With Alexander Isak still out, the other alternatives down the centre of attack are Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa, although the latter has been operating on the left recently where 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha remains an option from the bench.
Wirtz is an alternative on both flanks, with Mohamed Salah having started the last three games on the right.
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