The Liverpool squad are back in training and Arne Slot will have some issues to address ahead of the Premier League title run-in
Comments
Sport
Updated 15:13, 29 Mar 2025
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session at AXA Training Centre
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session at AXA Training Centre
(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The run-in starts here. Following an extended break, Liverpool's squad reconvened at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday to begin preparations for the final eight weeks of the campaign.
With the Reds 12 points clear at the Premier League summit with nine games remaining, there is the very real promise of claiming a record-equalling 20th championship and only a second title in the last 35 years.
Article continues below
And having not been together for almost a fortnight, this weekend represents a chance to properly reflect on a tough March in which Champions League elimination to Paris Saint-Germain was followed by a poor performance in the League Cup final loss to Newcastle United last time out.
READ MORE: Liverpool owners FSG considering club move as new investment battle emergesREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold theories aren't strictly true as Liverpool face far from normal situation
It will have been 17 days since they were last in action when Liverpool take to the field for the Merseyside derby at home to Everton on Wednesday. And in the coming days, Reds boss Arne Slot has a number of issues to address on the training pitch ahead of the next game.
The mindset
The disappointment among the Liverpool players was tangible when they left Wembley and, in some respects, having an international break immediately afterwards at least provided an opportunity to clear minds.
While there were mixed fortunes throughout the squad - for example, Wataru Endo qualified for the World Cup with Japan while Virgil van Dijk lost another big game on penalties when Holland went out of the UEFA Nations League to Spain - it will be hoped time is a healer and the lack of Reds action has made the players doubly determined to atone for recent setbacks.
The right-back problem
Like every team at this advanced stage of the season, Liverpool are without a number of players through injury. The main problem for the Reds, though, is that most are in the same position, with first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold having joined deputy Conor Bradley and the versatile Joe Gomez on the sidelines.
None appear close to an immediate return, leaving Slot to consider other options. Jarell Quansah, a centre-back by trade, replaced the stricken Alexander-Arnold against PSG and let nobody down when starting against Newcastle. But Quansah isn't as attack-minded as most of the unavailable alternatives, and time on the training ground could be used to work on that approach and his partnership with Mohamed Salah down the right side.
The number nine decision
Much like during the early years under predecessor Jurgen Klopp, perhaps the chief issue for Slot this season has been the central striking role. Whether Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez or Luis Diaz, the number nine has struggled for goals overall and, in recent games, impact also.
Needs, though, must, unless Slot opts to shift Cody Gakpo, so impressive this season on the left, back into a central role. It's unlikely the Reds boss will change formation this deep into a campaign where Liverpool have still only lost once in the Premier League, and their remaining fixtures don't indicate a need to play with two number 10s. The opportunity is there, then, for one of Jota, Nunez or Diaz to spearhead the Reds towards the title.
The rotation question
With only the league on which to now concentrate, Liverpool's workload had eased with the game against Everton their last scheduled midweek match, making it easier to recuperate between games. Nevertheless, Slot has learned the hard way through some tired recent performances that greater rotation is pivotal given the intensity of the level at which the Reds are regularly compelled to perform.
Mapping out potential minutes for the likes of Endo, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa - none of whom have started a Premier League game this season - will ease the burden on the regular starters and give the fringe players much-needed rhythm. It could make a major difference over the closing weeks.