Giovanni Leoni is still awaiting his Liverpool debut, but there is a clear fixture in the next run of matches that has been pencilled in for the Italian to make his bow.
Arne Slot‘s side return from the international break with a trip to Burnley on Sunday, the first of seven games in 21 days across three different competitions.
It will test Liverpool’s depth early, and the visit of Southampton in the Carabao Cup on September 23 will be earmarked as a notable fixture for rotation and a debut or two.
The Championship side make the trek to Anfield between the league visit of Everton and a trip to Crystal Palace, and the cup match has been pencilled in for Leoni’s debut, as per the Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe.
It is far from unexpected, but points to when supporters can expect to see different faces in the lineup.
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The Saints’ visit is also likely to present starting opportunities to Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha, and this could also be seen as the ideal time for Alexander Isak‘s first start.
Liverpool have three games to play before the Carabao Cup match, and the Swede will be introduced slowly after a disrupted pre-season, with appearances off the bench to precede any start.
He only played his first minutes since the end of last season during the international break, and Liverpool’s fitness department will be eager to build on that in training at first.
Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson will also be eyeing a place in the XI, as well as Giorgi Mamardashvili in what would be his competitive debut for the club.
It would lead to a lot of interest in the cup match if there were to be first competitive appearances and/or starts for new signings, not to mention favourable circumstances in which to make changes.
Last season was a valuable lesson for Slot in the art of rotation, and the club’s statement transfer window has extended his circle of trusted players and that ought to be reflected in his lineups.
If Liverpool progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, the fixture will be played between a trip to Brentford and the visit of Aston Villa in the Premier League.