Liverpool have been scorched on their two previous Anfield visits but have the opportunity to make amends on Wednesday evening.
The defending Premier League champions welcome Sunderland to Merseyside in the Premier League as they seek to bounce back from shock home thrashings at the hands of Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, with the weekend’s 2–0 victory over West Ham United rebuilding confidence levels following several dismal displays.
There is no rest for the Reds, who have four games over the next 10 days, and Arne Slot will have to lean on his squad depth during the hectic winter period. After spending £446 million ($589.1 million) over the summer, the Dutchman cannot complain about a lack of options.
Here is how he could line his side up against Sunderland.
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Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo starred in the weekend win. / Alex Pantling/Getty Images
GK: Alisson—The Brazilian will have been relieved by a quiet afternoon at the London Stadium having conceded three in his previous start. He will be hopeful of another uneventful outing against the Black Cats—and perhaps another clean sheet.
RB: Dominik Szoboszlai—Joe Gomez impressed at right back against the Hammers but Slot has hinted at rotation midweek, with the Englishman, who has been struggling with his fitness, perhaps making way for Szoboszlai. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are edging closer to returns.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté—With Real Madrid speculation and transfer talk having now dissipated, Konaté has the opportunity to refocus and rediscover his best form. He took a step in the right direction against West Ham.
CB: Virgil van Dijk—Van Dijk’s last home outing saw him concede a penalty, get booked and allow four goals. The Liverpool captain will demand better from himself and his teammates on Wednesday.
LB: Andy Robertson—Milos Kerkez has started the last three matches for Liverpool and should be given the night off against Sunderland. Robertson will be his replacement having outperformed the Hungarian this season.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch—Sunderland’s counter-attacking potential could make for a busy evening for Gravenberch, who must screen the back four more effectively than he’s done in recent home matches.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister—Liverpool are in desperate need of Mac Allister’s best, with the Argentine having endured a stuttering campaign to date. He was much improved at the weekend and will keep things ticking against Granit Xhaka and co.
RW: Mohamed Salah—Salah’s omission from the starting lineup made headlines at the weekend and the Egyptian wasn’t even called upon from the bench. However, with games coming thick and fast, Slot should restore the winger to the XI.
AM: Florian Wirtz—The £116 million ($153.3 million) man produced his best performance in Liverpool colours against the Irons. He was crucial in the build-up to Alexander Isak’s opener and generally sparkled at the London Stadium.
LW: Cody Gakpo—A goal and an assist at the weekend means Gakpo now has nine goal contributions for Liverpool in all competitions—more than any other player for the club this season.
ST: Hugo Ekitiké—Isak will have been relieved to open his league account for Liverpool but will likely make way for Ekitiké, with Slot keen not to overwork either of his strikers during a busy spell.
Liverpool predicted lineup
All eyes will be on Salah this Wednesday, / FotMob
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