Wirtz & Mac Allister dropped, no Isak or Salah with enforcer back in: Arne Slot's new line-up to save Liverpool's seasonplaceholder image
Wirtz & Mac Allister dropped, no Isak or Salah with enforcer back in: Arne Slot's new line-up to save Liverpool's season | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool's Premier League title challenge is fading fast and Arne Slot needs to shake things up after the international break
Liverpool are back in action against Nottingham Forest once the final international break of the calendar year comes to a close.
Forest, now manager by ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche, won in their final match before the international break as they beat Leeds United at the City Ground. Forest’s home form has improved since Dyche was appointed.
However, the sides will meet at Anfield on November 22, with the Reds hoping a return to home soil will help them on their way to three points. They have beaten Real Madrid and Aston Villa in their last two home games.
With Liverpool falling off the pace in the title race, we have put together a line-up that might help bring a stop to their poor run of form and make them more defensively sound.
Goalkeeper and defence
Liverpool should have Alisson Becker back after the international in what will be a big boost to Arne Slot. Giorgi Mamardashvili has looked better the longer he has been in the team but as things stand Alisson is still the Reds’ best goalkeeper.
In defence, Slot looks to have already dropped Milos Kerkez in place of Andy Robertson.
Virgil van Dijk will remain in the side but Ibrahima Konate has not been at his best this campaign and a run of games for Joe Gomez might help light a fire in Konate to prove he is still worth his starting spot. At right-back, Conor Bradley has performed well with Jeremie Frimpong currently out with a hamstring injury.
Midfield and attack
However, his minutes have been limited this term. It leaves the question who Slot could drop. Dominik Szoboszlai has arguably been the Reds’ best player this campaign and simply cannot be dropped while Ryan Gravenberch has also been a solid performer. It means that Alexis Mac Allister would need to make way for Endō who can add a bit more physicality to the midfield.
Up front, Slot should go with Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa. This by no means has to be a permanent line-up as the likes of Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah will still have a huge role to play. However, Chiesa deserves a shot at starting in the Premier League and Ekitike’s spot in the side speaks for itself. It also means no place for Florian Wirtz.
A few weeks out of the spotlight for the likes of Salah, Wirtz and Isak could ease the pressure on the trio - while also motivating them to prove their worth.
Arne Slot’s potential Liverpool line-up after international break: Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Bradley; Gravenberch, Endo, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Ekitike, Chiesa.
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