Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool return to Anfield on Wednesday night looking to build momentum as they face newly promoted Sunderland.
However, the “promoted” title doesn’t really fit the Black Cats as they are sitting sixth in the table with 22 points from 13 games – the best start by a promoted side in two decades.
For Liverpool, Wednesday’s fixture represents an opportunity to close the gap at the top before the demanding festive period begins.
Arne Slot’s side bounced back from their recent struggles with a convincing 2-0 victory over West Ham, with Alisson’s return between the posts providing much-needed stability.
The Reds will be without both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong at right-back, though Mohamed Salah remains available before his December 15 departure for AFCON.
With the number of games that Liverpool have in the next weeks, Slot has hinted that he could rotate at least three players, with Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Joe Gomez potentially not being risked on Wednesday evening:
“Yesterday we had recovery and after this press conference we’re going to train, so let’s see how players feel,” he said in his pre-Sunderland press conference.
“Florian for example has missed out one-and-a-half, two weeks of training, so for him to already play so many minutes was a good thing.”
“And in two days we have to play again. Joe Gomez is one of them [too]. So let’s see.”
“It was encouraging to see Florian playing that well
“And for Alex to score his first goal is also very positive – also a player who couldn’t play I think five-to-10 more minutes than he played.”
“He told me yesterday he felt a little bit of cramp coming up already, so another player who we should see how he does when he trains today.”
“But it’s not the first time he played well for us.”
“I think they’re not able to play three times 90 minutes, that’s for sure,” he conceded.
“And now I have to wait and see how they feel today, if they are able to play tomorrow from the start again.”
“But that all three of them can be involved in all three games – if they don’t get an injury – that’s a fair assumption to make.”
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