Liverpool are next up against Burnley in the Premier League with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
Liverpool boss Arne Slot(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
Liverpool maintained their improvement in results when they avoided an FA Cup third-round shock by seeing off League One side Barnsley 4-1 at Anfield on Monday. The Reds are now unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions and will entertain Brighton in the fourth round next month.
Arne Slot’s side will look to build on cup progress when they continue their hectic January schedule with a home Premier League clash against Burnley on Saturday 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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Kerkez back
Slot rotated his resources on Monday but is almost certain to go back to full strength with Liverpool looking to tighten their grip on a Champions League qualification berth.
Alisson Becker will therefore be expected to replace Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, with Freddie Woodman third choice between the sticks.
Milos Kerkez is poised to step in for Andy Robertson at left-back, but with Conor Bradley out for the season it means Jeremie Frimpong is the only recognised right-back option, although Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai have both featured there this campaign and may be required to do so over the coming months. Calvin Ramsay is another alternative.
Gomez made his first start in a month at centre-back against Barnsley, but is likely to lose his place in the heart of defence with Ibrahima Konate returning alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk. Giovanni Leoni won’t play again this campaign while Academy prospect Wellity Lucky made his debut in October.
Midfield alternatives
Liverpool have plentiful options in midfield and reverted to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation under Slot against Barnsley on Monday.
Ryan Gravenberch is poised to return at the base of midfield, with Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister competing for a place alongside the Dutchman. Szoboszlai and the fit-again Wataru Endo, who returned to the bench this week after a month out with an ankle problem, are other options.
Szoboszlai has featured in a variety of positions this year already and was the number 10 this week but could be required elsewhere, with Florian Wirtz chief alternative in the attacking midfield role with Jones and Mac Allister having also featured there under Slot.
Teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni has made a number of brief appearances from the bench of late. Stefan Bajcetic remains out.
Chiesa dropped?
With Mohamed Salah still on AFCON duty and Alexander Isak sidelined for the foreseeable, Slot’s attacking options will not be any different to recent matches.
Hugo Ekitike came off the bench to score and assist on his return from injury against Barnsley and is likely to lead the attack, with Cody Gakpo a contender for the left wing along with Wirtz given 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha is still awaiting a first Premier League start.
Federico Chiesa struggled on the right on Monday and will almost certainly make way, with Szoboszlai and Wirtz the main contenders.
With Wirtz expected to be a starter having been substitute in midweek, where he plays will determine the make-up of much of the remaining midfield and attack.