Image Credits: Imago Images
Hugo Ekitike starts as Liverpool make two changes for their Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven tonight at Anfield.
Alexander Isak, who touched the ball just 15 times in nearly 70 minutes against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, starts on the bench as Ekitike is preferred up top for Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo features on the left against his former club, while Mohamed Salah is stationed on the right.
In defence, Curtis Jones starts at right-back alongside Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez, who retains his place on the left despite claims from vice-captain Andy Robertson.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai is pushed into a more advanced role, joining Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in the engine room.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out of the game due to illness, the club have confirmed.
He had returned for Saturday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at home to Nottingham Forest after nearly two months out with a muscle issue but will sit out tonight’s Champions League visit from PSV.
Giorgi Mamardashvili steps in as his replacement.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Ekitike, Gravenberch.
Subs: Woodman, Misciur, Gomez, Endo, Isak, Chiesa, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha.
Speaking ahead of the game, Arne Slot said: “The last two years under Peter Bosz, it’s a team that dares to press all over the pitch, they also like to build up from the back and to look at as a spectator it’s quite attractive football.
“There are things that are in common and there are also a few differences, and there are lots of things you can see in how he [Bosz] played at [Borussia] Dortmund and Ajax and PSV.
“He has certain ideas about how to play football. “I wouldn’t say it’s a good opponent to have right now. I think they are probably better than ever.
“I think they had a difficult spell last season at the end of the season and maybe didn’t start that well at the beginning of this season, although the results were good.
“But the last two or three months they are just a winning machine – very comfortable on the ball, defensively more solid than at the start of the season or in the period last season.”
Read more: CONFIRMED: Liverpool XI vs PSV Eindhoven
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