Liverpool host Barnsley in the FA Cup and Arne Slot has guaranteed a strong squad will be named, but what could his XI look like against the League One side?
Four days on from the goalless draw at the Emirates, Liverpool will be back at Anfield aiming to progress to the next stage of their last remaining domestic cup campaign.
The third round of the FA Cup has often prompted mass rotation and rest for senior players, but Slot has guaranteed that “you will see all the players” who featured at Arsenal.
He explained there will likely be “some substitutions (to his XI), but then they will be on the bench,” which begs the question of who he will name in his starting lineup on Monday evening.
Let’s take a look.
Liverpool team news vs. Barnsley: Ekitike and Bradley latest
Conor Bradley ruled out for the rest of the season with significant knee injury, surgery planned for the coming week
Liverpool will do “everything” to have Hugo Ekitike available after he missed the last two matches
Wataru Endo still sidelined, as is Jayden Danns and Alexander Isak, while Mo Salah is still at AFCON
Strong squad: Arne Slot has guaranteed he will have a strong squad against Barnsley, unlike last season’s trip to Plymouth
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. Barnsley
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Slot insisting that the core of his first-team squad will be involved on Monday, there is not too much scope for academy players or widespread changes.
Instead, there is likely to be a sprinkle of those involved at Arsenal and those who were on the bench in the XI, meaning Ibrahima Konate, Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo could be retained.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson could then come into the backline as strong replacements, with Trey Nyoni and Curtis Jones to combine in midfield.
With Frimpong dropping to right-back after Bradley’s injury, Federico Chiesa has an opportunity on the right wing, with Rio Ngumoha afforded a chance on the left after one substitute appearance in the last 11.
This lineup would afford Slot pre-planned changes with the likes of Konate, Szboszlai and Gakpo, likely at half time, to share the playing load:
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Gomez, Robertson; Nyoni, Jones; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Gakpo
The other changes Slot could look to make is naming Calvin Ramsay at right-back to keep Frimpong on the right wing, which would, in turn, see Chiesa lead the attack.
Slot did not seem to guarantee Chiesa a start as he reiterated Ekitike’s possible availability, but there is no need to risk either Gakpo or the No. 22 from the start after respective fitness issues.
Virgil van Dijk could play the first 45 minutes before swapping with Konate after the interval, while Alexis Mac Allister could also start.
Those tweaks would look like this:
Mamardashvili; Ramsay, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Nyoni, Jones; Frimpong, Mac Allister, Ngumoha; Chiesa
Slot does not have the luxury of endless depth, but he knows the visit of Barnsley comes four days after the Arsenal draw and five before the visit of Burnley.
That is a kind schedule, which will be part of his decision-making, but also that Liverpool cannot afford to be knocked out early in two domestic cup competitions at Anfield in a single season.
There are options available to the Dutchman and scope for changes during the match, but either way, it will be a strong squad that hosts the League One side.