The ECHO's Liverpool writers pick their XIs for Sunday's visit to Manchester City in the Premier League
Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo are both pressing to start the game
Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo are both pressing to start the game
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Back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid has Liverpool in a buoyant mood as they travel to Manchester City in the Premier League.
It's the final game before November's international break and a third successive victory would be another huge indication that the recent struggles that saw six defeats in seven are behind them ahead of the busiest period of the season on the other side of the pause in domestic action.
As ever Arne Slot and his backroom staff have some big decisions to make over their team selection. Our dedicated Reds writers pick their Liverpool XIs for the trip to the Etihad.
PAUL GORST
Last year's trip to the Etihad saw Liverpool happy to concede the territory against Pep Guardiola's side as they hit them with decisive counter-attacks and cleverly-worked set-pieces en route to a 2-0 win.
Liverpool had just 33% of possession that day but rarely looked like they wouldn't win the game after taking an early lead. The fact Arne Slot went without a recognised striker in favour of a 'box' midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai has coloured my thinking for this one.
Florian Wirtz was excellent against Real Madrid off the left on Tuesday but I am going to play him as a 'false 9' and recall Cody Gakpo in place of Hugo Ekitike.
That is my only change in personnel but it does feel like it is a big tactical adjustment that, if implemented properly on the counters and the transitions, could yield a big return in Manchester.
My team (4-2-2-2): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo.
IAN DOYLE
After a good week comes a proper test of how far Liverpool have improved with a trip to the Etihad and a clash against Manchester City.
Arne Slot didn't fiddle too much with his team for the win over Real Madrid in midweek and, with five days to this game, there may not be call to change much.
What, then, is the Reds boss to do?
To be honest, nothing. So that's Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, Andy Robertson left-back, Conor Bradley right-back and Ibrahima Konate partnering skipper Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are the double pivot with Dominik Szoboszlai the number 10.
And up top, Hugo Ekitike can lead the line with Mohamed Salah to his right and Florian Wirtz on the left.
In summary, same as.
My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
MARK JONES
I really liked the XI that played, and beat, Real Madrid, but I also really liked Arne Slot's clever tactical move that got the better of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in February, so what to do? How about both?
Slot has idolised Guardiola in the past and would have really enjoyed getting the better of him home and away last season, and he might think that tactical flexibility will be the way to do so again here.
Liverpool could line up the same as they did against Real, but the personnel should be able to switch between different setups depending on how the game is going, with the 4-2-3-1 becoming something resembling a 4-2-2-2, with the first of the twos comprising Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, the second Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz and the third Hugo Ekitike and Mo Salah.
Not bad is it? And with the firepower of Cody Gakpo, Alexander isak and Federico Chiesa in reserve this could be a game that is won from the bench.
My team (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.