Jarell Quansah and Cody Gakpo will return to the Liverpool starting lineup, while Trent Alexander-Arnold misses out against Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
Liverpool will aim to win their first trophy of the 2024/25 season when they lock horns with Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday evening. However, Arne Slot has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Merseyside outfit will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, who sustained an ankle injury in the UEFA Champions League clash with PSG earlier this week. In addition, Ibrahima Konate picked up a knock in the same game.
However, Slot confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Konate was set to train with the squad ahead of the final and that a decision will be made on his inclusion closer to kick-off. In addition, the Reds are without Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, and Tyler Morton this weekend.
The Liverpool manager said, “We didn’t train yesterday, we were on a day off and the day before was recovery, so I expect him (Konate) to train with us today but let’s see how he is. So, Trent is indeed not available. He will not be there at the final. But he is still to be assessed for how long it’s going to take but we do expect him back in the end of the season.”
The Reds are likely to shape up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation against Newcastle United, with Alisson Becker in goal. Jarell Quansah and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs, and they will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will pair up at the heart of the defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch will continue in their usual roles, and they will look to add creativity, control, and defensive cover to the side. Dominik Szoboszlai will continue in his attacking midfield role, and he will look to carve out opportunities for his teammates and add some drive to the midfield.
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo will start in the wide areas, and they will look to add pace, flair, and goals to the side. Finally, Diogo Jota will lead the line for Liverpool against Newcastle United on Sunday. So, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz will be backup options on the bench for the Merseyside outfit.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Quansah, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Jota