Liverpool are next up against Qarabag in the Champions League with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026
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Liverpool saw their 13-game unbeaten run ended with a disappointing 3-2 reverse at Bournemouth on Saturday evening. The Reds have now taken only four points from their last five Premier League games and won only five of the last 18 as their hopes of a top-four finish took a major knock.
Arne Slot's side will now aim to secure their place in the top eight of the Champions League when they entertain Azerbaijan champions Qarabag on Wednesday evening.
And here we look ahead to the changes Reds head coach Slot could make when his team are next in action.
Robertson claim
The lack of energy levels from much of the Liverpool team during the closing stages at Bournemouth underlined the issues facing Slot given the reliance on the same core of players during a busy January, with the Reds ending the game missing six players through injury and unavailability.
Liverpool will wait for an update on the fitness of Joe Gomez, who was forced off first half at the Vitality Stadium after a collision with Alisson Becker.
If Ibrahima Konate has not returned from compassionate leave, a Gomez absence means Wataru Endo, who came on at Bournemouth, will be compelled to start alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Youngster Wellity Lucky may be required for bench duty.
Slot revealed Alisson played on with a swollen knee and the Brazil international goalkeeper will be monitored ahead of Wednesday, with Giorgi Mamardashvili on standby to step in between the sticks and Freddie Woodman next in line.
With Conor Bradley out for the season, sole senior right-back Jeremie Frimpong was withdrawn early in the second half on Saturday having complained of tiredness. Dominik Szoboszlai ended the game in the position while Calvin Ramsay is ineligible for the Champions League.
And Andy Robertson, who will now not be moving to Tottenham Hotspur, is pressing Milos Kerkez for a start at left-back having replaced the Hungarian at half-time at the weekend.
Midfield issue
Slot again went for a 4-2-2-2 formation from the start at Bournemouth but could revert to a 4-2-3-1 on Wednesday. Either way, the personnel in the engine room are unlikely to change too much.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were at the base of midfield, although Mac Allister was withdrawn in the second half for Curtis Jones. Jones, though, was among several underwhelming performers, while other alternatives Endo and Szoboszlai could be required elsewhere.
The more advanced roles have been occupied by Florian Wirtz and Szoboszlai in recent games, with the duo expected to retain their starting places regardless of position given consistently effective displays in that time.
The versatile Jones and Mac Allister have also been employed higher up the pitch this season at times. Teenager Trey Nyoni is likely to be among the substitutes.
Ekitike return?
With Liverpool's attack struggling to make significant inroads at Bournemouth, Hugo Ekitike will almost certainly step back into the XI despite making minimal impact on the South Coast as substitute.
There is, though, a decision to be made on who partners the Frenchman in a front two, with Mohamed Salah poor at the weekend and Cody Gakpo moves back to his preferred formation, both will be in contention to start on the right and left flank respectively but will face strong competition from Wirtz.
Federico Chiesa has missed the last two games through injury and Alexander Isak is out for several months. And while Rio Ngumoha improved matters from the bench on Saturday, he isn't ready to start a major Champions League match.