BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool
Mohamed Salah has struggled on his return to the Liverpool team (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool's 13-match unbeaten streak came to an end with a deflating 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday evening. The defending champions have now collected just four points from their last five Premier League fixtures and secured victory in only five of their last 18 matches, dealing a significant blow to their aspirations of finishing in the top four.
Arne Slot's men will now look to confirm their place in the Champions League's top eight when they welcome Azerbaijani champions Qarabag on Wednesday evening. Express Sport examines the potential changes Reds boss Slot could make when his squad return to action...
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The evident drop in energy levels from several Liverpool players in the final stages at Bournemouth highlighted the challenges confronting Slot, given his reliance on the same group of players throughout a hectic January schedule. The Reds finished the match with six players absent due to injury and unavailability.
Liverpool are awaiting news on Joe Gomez's condition after he was withdrawn in the first half at the Vitality Stadium following a clash with Alisson Becker.
Should Ibrahima Konate remain absent on compassionate leave, Gomez's unavailability means Wataru Endo, who featured as a substitute at Bournemouth, will be forced to start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence. Young prospect Wellity Lucky will be needed on the bench.
Slot revealed that Alisson continued playing despite nursing a swollen knee, with the Brazilian shot-stopper set to be assessed before Wednesday's fixture, leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili ready to deputise and Freddie Woodman as third choice.
With Conor Bradley sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, only senior right-back Jeremie Frimpong was substituted early in the second period on Saturday after expressing fatigue. Dominik Szoboszlai finished the match in that role, whilst Calvin Ramsay remains unavailable in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Andy Robertson, who will now remain on Merseyside rather than join Tottenham, is challenging Milos Kerkez for a starting berth at left-back after coming on for the Hungarian at the interval during the weekend.
Bournemouth v Liverpool - Premier League
Andy Robertson could start for Liverpool in Europe (Image: Getty)
Midfield conundrum
Slot once again deployed a 4-2-2-2 setup from kick-off at Bournemouth but may switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation on Wednesday. Regardless, the personnel in the heart of midfield are expected to remain largely unchanged.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister anchored the midfield, though Mac Allister was replaced by Curtis Jones in the second period. Jones, however, was among several disappointing performers, whilst other options Endo and Szoboszlai might be needed in different positions.
The more attacking positions have been filled by Florian Wirtz and Szoboszlai in recent matches, with both players anticipated to keep their starting spots irrespective of formation given their consistently impressive showings during this period. The adaptable Jones and Mac Allister have additionally been utilised further forward this campaign on occasions.
Young prospect Trey Nyoni is expected to feature among the replacements on the bench.
Ekitike back?
Given Liverpool's frontline failed to create meaningful opportunities against Bournemouth, Hugo Ekitike will almost definitely return to the starting line-up despite producing little impact on the south coast when introduced from the bench.
However, there remains a choice regarding who accompanies the Frenchman in attack, with Mohamed Salah disappointing at the weekend and Cody Gakpo reverting to his favoured system, both will be candidates to begin on the right and left wings respectively but will encounter fierce rivalry from Wirtz.
Could Salah drop back to the bench with Frimpong replacing him at right wing with Szoboszlai at right-back? Possibly.
But Federico Chiesa has been absent from the previous two matches through injury and Alexander Isak faces several months on the sidelines. Whilst Rio Ngumoha impressed after coming on during Saturday's encounter, he lacks the readiness to start such a crucial Champions League fixture.