Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could look to bring in attacking reinforcements in January.placeholder image
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot could look to bring in attacking reinforcements in January. | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool team predicted to face Barnsley in the FA Cup third round at Anfield.
Liverpool look to avoid an upset in the FA Cup third round when they welcome League One outfit Barnsley to Anfield.
The Reds suffered a shock in the competition last season when they suffered a sobering 1-0 defeat by Plymouth Argyle. Arne Slot has confirmed that he will not rest as many players for the Barnsley clash although he hinted he will tweak his starting line-up.
Slot will have depleted options once again, with Conor Bradley ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in last week’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal. Alexander Isak (broken leg), Wataru Endo (ankle), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic (both hamstring) remain absent along with Mo Salah, who has helped Egypt reach the African Cup of Nations. In addition, Hugo Ekitike has missed the past two games with a hamstring issue.
Slot has plenty of decisions to make. Ahead of the Barnsley clash, here’s the team that the Liverpool boss could select.
Liverpool team predicted vs Barnsley
GK - Giorgi Mamarsashvili
Caoimhin Kelleher played in both FA Cup matches last season, which suggests that Alisson Becker might be given a rest for the encounter and Mamardshvili makes his first appearance since November.
RB - Calvin Ramsay
The one-cap Scotland international might have always been earmarked to play in this game. Still, it is a big chance for Ramsay to potentially show Slot he could play a part in the Premier League if needed.
CB - Joe Gomez
Liverpool’s longest-serving player has made two appearances off the bench after his injury. He might expect more minutes in the second half of the campaign after Bradley’s blow.
CB - Virgil van Dijk
It is not ideal that Liverpool’s captain might have to play but given the injury situation, Slot might have to ask his captain to feature.
LB - Andy Robertson
The Reds vice-skipper has spent a significant portion of the season as back-up to Milos Kerkez. Out of contract in the summer, it could well be Robertson’s last campaign at Anfield and he’d love to finish with silverware.
CM - Curtis Jones
Surprisingly was on the bench at Arsenal given his fine recent form. It makes Jones highly likely to return from the outset.
CM - Trey Nyoni
The 18-year-old is well regarded by Liverpool and been around the first team throughout the season. It’s been tough for him this term but it’s a chance to show his potential.
RW - Trent Kone-Doherty
Slot is short of attackers and may well want to try to give Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong a rest. Slot could turn to the academy and Kone-Doherty has had a good season so far, recording three goals and two assists at age-group level. The Republic of Ireland under-21 international came off the bench at Plymouth.
AM - Dominik Szoboszlai
Slot will not want to make his engine room too weak and given that Szoboszlai recently missed a game because of suspension, he might be deemed fresher than Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
LW - Rio Ngumoha
Plenty of fans will be excited to get another glimpse of the 17-year-old. There is rightly plenty of excitement around Ngumoha but his minutes have been limited of late.
ST - Federico Chiesa
The Italian is a fans’ favourite but has again had limited minutes this season. Chiesa will always give his all, though, and he will want to display his quality amid January departure links.
Woodman, Kerkez, Konate, Lucky, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Frimpong, Gakpo, Ekitike.
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