Liverpool are next up against Sunderland in the Premier League with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
Florian Wirtz returned from injury at West Ham
Florian Wirtz returned from injury at West Ham
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Liverpool arrested their recent alarming slump when they scrapped out a hard-earned 2-0 Premier League win at West Ham United on Sunday afternoon. The Reds have moved back into the top half of the table and are three points off the Champions League qualification places after both Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo found the net.
Arne Slot's side will look to build on that victory when they play the second of three Premier League games in seven days with a home clash against promoted Sunderland on Wednesday evening.
And here we look ahead to the changes Reds head coach Slot could make when his team are next in action.
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Gomez decision
It will be tempting for Slot to stick with the side that won at the London Stadium. But a busy and important week means the Reds boss is likely to rotate his resources.
Alisson Becker was back in goal after illness and remains first-choice ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman. Milos Kerkez has been in decent form in the last week, but cramp suffered at the end of the game on Sunday highlighted a heavy workload with Andy Robertson on standby to deputise at left-back.
On the opposite flank, Slot will be mindful of asking Joe Gomez to start twice in four days with Curtis Jones the more likely alternative ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong both out.
And Gomez continues to be the recognised alternative to either Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, although the duo are likely to be retained. Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have also featured there during games this season but Giovanni Leoni is out for the campaign.
Szoboszlai on standby
Florian Wirtz was the star turn on his return in the number 10 role at West Ham. But after missing the last two games injured there's no guarantee he will start this time around.
Should the German be benched, Szoboszlai would be favourite to return to the role, although Jones and Hugo Ekitike could also deputise.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister remained as the double pivot in midfield but Slot has a wealth of options should he choose to freshen up, with Szoboszlai, Jones and the lesser-spotted Wataru Endo also available.
Teenager Trey Nyoni hasn't featured in the Premier League this season although he has made the bench in four of the last five top-flight games.
Salah back?
The big decision from Slot at the weekend was to drop Mohamed Salah to the bench in a Premier League game for the first time of his tenure. Salah will be hopeful of regaining his place, which was occupied by Szoboszlai at West Ham. Federico Chiesa and Ekitike are other options on the right.
Ekitike will also press Alexander Isak for a start down the middle with Slot mindful of the Swedish international's minutes in the mid-point of four games in 22 days.
Cody Gakpo had a goal and assist at West Ham and will be expected to continue on the left. Chiesa, Ekitike, Wirtz and teenager Rio Ngumoha are all options should Slot choose to shake up his forward line further.