Our writers select their Liverpool line-ups for the Premier League clash against Burnley at Turf Moor
Theo Squires was appointed Liverpool FC Writer for the Liverpool ECHO in 2021, after covering EURO 2020 at Wembley as England reached their first major men's final since 1966. A senior football journalist, Theo joined the ECHO's sports team from Bolton Wanderers in 2018, having previously spent four seasons in the former Premier League side's communications team where he ran the club's website and social media channels. A regular in the Anfield press box since joining the ECHO, since being promoted to Liverpool FC Writer, Theo has reported on Jurgen Klopp's side as they won the FA Cup and League Cup at Wembley, and competed in the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. A regular on the Blood Red podcast, Theo has also conducted a number of exclusive interviews during his time with the ECHO, speaking to the likes of Roger Hunt, Nicolas Anelka, and Alberto Aquilani.
Alexander Isak is set to be named in a Liverpool squad for the first time today
Alexander Isak is set to be named in a Liverpool squad for the first time today
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool return to action today with all eyes on the new addition they made to their squad on transfer deadline day. The Reds signed off for the international break with a hard-fought 1-0 win over last season's title rivals Arsenal at Anfield.
The defending champions then followed that statement of intent with another as they completed a British transfer record £125m deal for Alexander Isak.
Isak missed a lot of football as he attempted to force through his move from Newcastle United to Liverpool so there is no guarantee he will start this afternoon's clash with Burnley at Turf Moor (2pm).
But the superstar Sweden striker is not the only selection dilemma for Arne Slot. So what is the Reds head coach to do?
Our writers have their say...
Ian Doyle
The beginning has ended. And now we are into the proper stuff as Liverpool resume their Premier League campaign at promoted Burnley this afternoon.
What, though, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
The big question is whether to start new £125million man Alexander Isak. Fair to say, however, that it might be a while before we see the striker in the XI, so bench duty for him.
In goal, it's Alisson Becker. Milos Kerkez can continue at left-back although Andy Robertson should expect some starts soon, while Ibrahima Konate is fit enough to again partner skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. With a number of right-backs now fit, Conor Bradley can step into the position.
That said, Dominik Szoboszlai simply has to start, and with it probably wise to be careful with Alexis Mac Allister, the Hungarian can line up alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield with Florian Wirtz the number 10.
Up top, Hugo Ekitike leads the line, with Cody Gakpo on the left and Mohamed Salah down the right.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Ryan Gravenberch in the new Liverpool third kit
Ryan Gravenberch in the new Liverpool third kit
Theo Squires
Arne Slot has a shiny new striker to play with ahead of the trip to Burnley after the Reds finally brought in Alexander Isak in a club-record £125m move on deadline day.
But even the most optimistic of supporters will know it is highly unlikely that the Swede is granted anything more than a debut cameo off the bench at Turf Moor. He boasts only 18 minutes of action since the final day of last season, after all, and spent most of the summer training on his own after going on strike at Newcastle United.
As a result, the front four picks itself against the Clarets with Hugo Ekitike again leading the line, Cody Gakpo on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right.
Florian Wirtz has come in for some unfair criticism after a quiet start to his Anfield career, but he keeps his place at number 10 too. Slot has the options to rotate out the German if he chooses, but after scoring a stunning free-kick during the international break, fingers crossed the playmaker returns full of confidence and poised to make a more telling impact.
Alisson is of course in goal, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk in front of him, Milos Kerkez at left-back and Ryan Gravenberch at number six. But there are tough decisions to make regarding the final two berths in the side.
The in-form Dominik Szoboszlai obviously starts, but does he get the nod at right-back or in midfield? Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are now both back from injury, while Alexis Mac Allister completed 90 minutes for Argentina during the break as he steps up his own return.
I was tempted to name an unchanged XI from the side that beat Arsenal with Szoboszlai continuing at right-back, but seeing as Mac Allister is reporting back from international duties in South America, the Hungarian can be restored to his favoured midfield position with Bradley coming in at right-back given that Frimpong has only just returned to training.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.