Liverpool is eyeing up a place in the Champions League last-16 as it takes on Girona later today.
The Reds face the Spanish side for the first time as they look to make it six wins out of six, knowing that victory should be enough for them to secure a top eight finish in the league phase. A spot in the extra play-off round is already guaranteed, although avoiding that would be a big boost in an already packed schedule.
Arne Slot has hinted that he won’t make many changes to his side, having been handed a rare weekend off following the postponement of Saturday’s Merseyside derby. He will be forced into at least one change though from last week’s draw with Newcastle, and another is looking very likely.
Alisson Becker looks set to make his first appearance since being forced off injured at Crystal Palace back in October. Although Caoimhin Kelleher has been superb as his deputy, the Brazilian’s return is undoubtedly a huge boost.
In truth, most of Slot’s decisions have already been made for him today. Given the injuries to Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas, the back four almost picks itself, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson surely nailed on to start.
The only question is whether Joe Gomez or Jarell Quansah starts alongside Van Dijk in the center. The former didn’t have the best of games at Newcastle, and keeping him in reserve would be handy given his versatility, so we’ll give Quansah the nod here.
Jarell Quansah could get a start against Girona
Jarell Quansah could get a start against Girona
With Alexis Mac Allister out through suspension, there is virtually no jeopardy in midfield. Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai will start in the engine room, with Harvey Elliott left waiting for his first start of the season.
In attack is where the biggest question mark lies. Mohamed Salah will start as usual on the right, but which two of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo will start alongside him?
Well, considering Slot has suggested he won’t change things up too much from last week, it could be Nunez and Gakpo that get the nod. If that is the case, then we can probably expect Diaz to return to the side against Fulham at the weekend.
Liverpool team vs Girona predicted: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.