Liverpool have a chance to boost Arsenal’s title ambitions when they take on Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
The Gunners are sitting nine points clear of Pep Guardiola’s side and will be in the strange position of wanting to see a Reds win.
Liverpool are badly in need of the points themselves after seeing both Chelsea and Manchester United win on Saturday and despite City’s unpredictable form they will know they are in for a game at Anfield.
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Alisson before Marseille vs Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
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Given the injuries within the Liverpool squad right now, Arne Slot does not have too much scope when choosing his starting XI for the match.
But there are still three big decisions the Dutchman must consider which could alter the course of the match.
Who will play right-back for Liverpool?
Perhaps the biggest decision Slot must make on Sunday is who plays at right-back for Liverpool.
Jeremy Doku ran riot against the Reds in November and with the Belgian likely to go again, Slot will be wary of shutting him down.
Dominik Szoboszlai during Liverpool v Barnsley - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
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Doku’s pace and power probably rule Wataru Endo out of the running, while it is easy to see Curtis Jones struggling up against him as well.
As a result, Dominik Szoboszlai is the most likely candidate to face Doku, but leaving the Hungarian out of Liverpool’s midfield is always a difficult call to make.
Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister?
Szoboszlai’s absence from the midfield could free up a spot for Jones to come into the starting XI, and his foot-on-the-ball approach could be just what Liverpool need in a game like this.
However, the Scouser appears to have fallen out of favour for the time being, giving Slot a decision to make on whether he should be brought back in.
Alexis Mac Allister has failed to kick on this season and there is a danger he could get swallowed up by City’s midfield. Which of the pair Slot decides to go for could shape how Liverpool approach the midfield battle.
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Combined Liverpool/Man City XI
Combined Liverpool/Man City XI
Florian Wirtz in the middle or on the left?
The final decision Slot will be turning over in his head in the lead-up to Sunday’s head-to-head is just what to do with Florian Wirtz.
Moving Szoboszlai to right-back could mean he has to go with both Jones and Mac Allister in midfield, and that would likely mean Wirtz starting in a more left-sided attacking position.
But, in our opinion, a better option would be to have the German in a more free role operating behind a front three of Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.
The final decision is likely to be based on what Slot chooses in midfield, but if Liverpool are to get anything on Sunday then Wirtz is going to be key. Getting him into the area he can most affect the game is vital.
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