Arne Slot approaches his first cup final as Liverpool manager without many selection dilemmas. Few players have flitted between starters and substitutes since the Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp, so guessing the majority of his starting line-up tends to be straightforward.
There are minor decisions to be made on whether Cody Gakpo is fit to start and if Curtis Jones or Dominic Szoboszlai is the best option in midfield, but it seems likely the latter will be selected and Diogo Jota will start up front in place of Gakpo.
The only concern for Slot ahead of the meeting with Newcastle United is who to start at right-back. The Reds manager said Jones could be an option in Friday’s press conference, or Kostas Tsimikas and Wataru Endo. But it’s Jarell Quansah who most expect to deputize in that role with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Connor Bradley and Joe Gomez all missing.
That he came in to play on the right side of a back four in midweek is another indication, while Quansah was also utilized in that role during Liverpool’s last defence crisis. When Alexander-Arnold was forced off against Manchester City in early December, with Bradley unavailable too, Quansah was drafted in and he then remained in the side for the next league game, ironically against Newcastle.
Another hint of who could play at right-back at Wembley emerged this week when Quansah discussed playing that position in an interview.
“Slot pulled me before the City game,” Quansah told journalist David Lynch, via his Substack. “Obviously Joe was starting center-back and before that, he had been the natural one who had filled in at right-back.
“The gaffer said he thought I had the attributes and qualities to play right-back; not probably how Trent and Conor play it but in a different type of way. When someone shows that belief in you – and he’s obviously a good manager who knows what he’s on about – it’s good.
Jarell Quansah of Liverpool acknowledges the fans
Quansah could start against Newcastle. (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images2024 Liverpool FC)
“I’m just happy he can see my qualities and hopefully I can show a little bit more of what I’m about on the ball from that position because sometimes that’s hard to do from center-half.”
Discussing Quansah during Friday’s pre-match press conference, Slot said: “In the last few times he had to play for us it was in a position he is not completely used to as right full-back. But in my opinion, he has the quality to play in that position because he is strong, fast, very comfortable with the ball and it gives us an extra quality if we play him.