Arne Slot Luis Diaz Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Arne Slot Luis Diaz Liverpool 2024-25
Liverpool entertain Fulham in the Premier League at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds currently top the table by four points ahead of Chelsea in second place. Arne Slot's side boast a game in hand over the West London side however, owing to the Merseyside Derby being called off last week.
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Following a week off in the Premier League, the Anfield outfit took their talents to Spain in the Champions League midweek.
They defeated Girona by a solitary Mo Salah penalty to nil. Slot was not too impressed with his side's performance in the aftermath and will be hoping for better against a decent Fulham side.
Last time out in the league, Liverpool drew 3-3 away at Newcastle and will require three points in order to avoid Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City getting too excited in the chasing pack.
Here we run through what we think will be the starting XI on Saturday.
GK: Alisson Becker
The Brazil No.1 is back in goal. Having starred in midweek against Girona, where he was Liverpool's best player, there is no way Alisson will want to relinquish the gloves any time soon. Back to the bench for Caoimhin Kelleher.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Pivotal in helping the Reds earn a point against the Magpies last time out in the league. He provided two assists for Mohamed Salah. Certain to start having watched Slot experiment with Jarell Quansah in the position and with Conor Bradley out. Given a stern examination by Arnaut Danjuma, Miguel Gutierrez and co in midweek.
CB: Joe Gomez
The long-serving defender endured a torrid time at St. James' Park and again in Girona. Owing to a lack of options, he will probably get the nod again. No Ibrahima Konate due to injury means Slot's defence suddenly looks a lot less secure.
© IMAGO
CB: Virgil van Dijk
The captain's durability is more important than ever during these testing times and he will be relied upon as usual at Anfield.
LB: Andy Robertson
Robbo is without senior competition currently with Kostas Tsimikas injured, although the Scot has mostly been in possession of the left-back shirt in the Premier League this season. Playing his way back into form as evidenced by his showing midweek.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch
The Dutchman is beginning to show some signs of fatigue but will not be afforded a rest with Alexis Mac Allister suspended again. He is one game away from a suspension of his own in the league.
CM: Curtis Jones
We think the England international will fill a deeper midfield role again in the absence of Mac Allister, who was also absent for the Girona game.
Although adept at playing further forward, this is how Slot has been thinking on previous occasions that the Argentine World Cup winner has been out.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai came on to good effect against Newcastle, started against Girona and is almost assured of a place in the starting XI on Saturday with Mac Allister out.
Mo Salah Liverpool
© IMAGO - Mo Salah Liverpool
RW: Mohamed Salah
First name on the teamsheet these days given his extraordinary output in front of goal. There can be simply no let-up in his form if Liverpool are to go close to winning the title.
LW: Cody Gakpo
Looking assured on the left side of attack as Luis Diaz fills in elsewhere is Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman came off the bench against Girona as Nunez struggled again.
ST: Luis Diaz
Could revert to a No.9 role as Nunez's testing times go on, Luis Diaz presents a very different kind of threat to opposition defences. He could do with a goal however as he is without one since September in the league. Diogo Jota could push for a start though.
(4-2-3-1); Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
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