A look at how Liverpool might line up when they are entertained by Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday
Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaks to Florian Wirtz on the sidelines during the match with Manchester last month (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Having appeared to have arrested the worst run of his Liverpool career with back-to-back Anfield victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, Arne Slot now returns to the drawing board to plot a way past Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.
A pulsating victory and a statement performance against the 15-time champions of Europe should have Slot and his charges rolling down the M62 in buoyant mood as they go about trying to secure a third successive victory against Pep Guardiola’s men.
The major issue for the head coach to consider, however, is how much these last few days have taken out of a team who only made one change between games in Florian Wirtz for Cody Gakpo.
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Conor Bradley, for example, has been excellent in his last outings but the Northern Ireland international is yet to showcase his ability to play three games in a week of such velocity and importance. With Jeremie Frimpong sidelined with a hamstring issue, Bradley may be tasked with going again but how much did keeping Vinicius Junior quiet take out of the 21-year-old?
It’s a balancing act Slot must get right. Dominik Szoboszlai is a potential option but the Hungary captain has been superb in the centre of midfield.
Slot has more cover on the left side but the same problem in Andy Robertson. The Scotland skipper has provided a timely reminder of his enduring quality and importance in the last two games but does he have the legs now to start at the Etihad? Milos Kerkez is an option if not, but the young Hungarian has been out of sorts since his £40m move from Bournemouth. That is another call that feels huge this weekend.
In midfield, the questions are of a similar nature. The outstanding Szoboszlai has displayed his ability to play three games of this magnitude and maintain his levels but Alexis Mac Allister has spent all season finding his groove after a truncated summer schedule. Can the Argentina international play a third game in eight days this weekend? Curtis Jones is fit again at least if it is a step too far.
Last season at the Etihad, Slot sprung a tactical surprise by playing without a recognised striker. Instead, it was a midfield quartet of Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch and the decision worked a charm as the Reds won 2-0, with Szoboszlai arrowing in the second after a well-worked corner routine saw Mohamed Salah open the scoring.
The Reds had just 33.9% possession on the day, which remains their lowest in a Premier League victory since such records began being collated in 2003. But they outfoxed their hosts and defended resolutely on the day with the extra man in midfield helping out.
So does this mean Wirtz could operate as a ‘false 9’ as Gakpo returns to the left side of the attack? It might seem harsh on Hugo Ekitike, who, like the rest of his colleagues, was impressive against Real Madrid. There’s also the prospect of Alexander Isak returning, with the Reds boss set to deliver the latest on Friday.
Isak has been called up to the Sweden squad for their World Cup qualifiers in the international break which would suggest that a Liverpool return is imminent. Slot will give an update on Friday when he speaks to the media.
Wirtz’s work rate out of possession might be vital here. The Germany international ran more than 11km against los Blancos and was important for disrupting their rhythm at the back. His quality on the ball is beyond question and a first start at the tip of the attack could be a tactical shock that knocks City out of their stride.
Isak won’t start but it is quite the option to have in reserve while Ekitike remains the leading candidate to start up top in Manchester.
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