The worldwide break has been comparatively type to Liverpool as a result of it has given a number of of Arne Slot‘s hurt absentees time to get effectively and return to teaching.
With video video games in direction of Actual Madrid and Man Metropolis, adopted by Newcastle and Everton, Liverpool have a hard couple of weeks ahead.
As a result of the Reds know, though, the first opponent on the itemizing are Russell Martin’s Southampton, a gaggle Slot described as “a pleasure to take a look at” and “very troublesome for the teams that are inside the excessive three, 4 and 5.”
With that in ideas, don’t anticipate Liverpool to be resting avid gamers ahead of their midweek battle with Madrid.
Group info
Proper right here’s what Slot revealed in his press conference:
Liverpool’s XI vs. Southampton
As Slot stated on Friday, the one parts affecting his group selection are “the having fun with kind of Southampton, the avid gamers returning from South America [and] how match they’re, the accidents we have now now and the avid gamers coming once more.”
Given the highest coach’s level out of Liverpool’s South American internationals, it is perhaps an excellent wager to counsel Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz gained’t attribute from the start.
This turns into far more doable when you concentrate on Diaz’s alternate choices, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, beloved a lightweight workload over the last couple of weeks – Gakpo having fun with 92 minutes and Nunez none.
Andy Robertson is one different who may probably be modified inside the starting XI, having carried out two additional intense video video games as Scotland captain.
Kostas Tsimikas is youthful, carried out fewer minutes and has proved himself a extremely prepared deputy this advertising marketing campaign.
Proper right here is how Liverpool will doable line up:
Caoimhin Kelleher begins in goal as Alisson continues to be not match to start
Conor Bradley begins at right-back due to Alexander-Arnold’s hamstring hurt
Nunez is modern to start up entrance having not carried out for Uruguay due to a ban
That’s how Liverpool would line up:
Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
In any case, whereas the early indicators are that Liverpool’s South People will start on the bench, Slot may decide they’re match ample to play from the beginning.
This would possibly see the exclusion of Nunez, with Diaz having proved himself an excellent selection by means of the middle with Gakpo to his left.
Though unlikely, on this state of affairs Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai could be the two candidates to play alongside Mac Allister and Gravenberch in midfield.
Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk start collectively for a eleventh consecutive Premier League match
Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai reform the midfield trio that served Liverpool successfully inside the early part of the season
Salah begins on the suitable with modern legs after not being known as up for Egypt’s latest squad
Proper right here’s how this alternate group would look:
Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Whichever aspect Slot decides to put out, they’re going to be met with resistance by Southampton who misplaced merely 1-0 at Man Metropolis in late October and 1-0 at Newcastle in August.
Whereas the Reds do have an excellent present report at St Mary’s – Liverpool have gained 4 of their remaining six matches there – they haven’t actually saved a transparent sheet of their remaining 5 league visits.
With Van Dijk and Konate in wise type, though, Slot’s group will most likely be assured of defending the Saints out this time spherical.
