Arne Slot could make Florian Wirtz switch as Liverpool faced with four major dilemmas

8 hours ago 26

With a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League, Liverpool put in the kind of performance that it really needed to against Unai Emery's side, with Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch scoring.

Salah and Alexis Mac Allister have both struggled for form so far this season but the pair looked at it at Anfield. Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were also excellent.

But now Arne Slot must work out the best way of playing against Real Madrid and Manchester City too. Those fixtures, with the clash at the Etihad Stadium particularly important, come in quick succession (a total of three games in nine days).

It is for that reason that the team selection for Tuesday's high-profile clash with Real Madrid will be so intriguing. Ideally, the team that did so well at the weekend would keep its place, but that seems unlikely.

Alisson Becker doesn't look set to return before the international break, so that will mean more chances for Giorgi Mamardashvili to impress. But in defense, there are decisions to make.

Left-back Andy Robertson was very good on Saturday, but Milos Kerkez coming back in three days later cannot be ruled out given the Scotland captain is 31. Robertson almost certainly won't play three lots of 90 minutes.

Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 1, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arne Slot shows his appreciation to the Anfield faithful after Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa

On the opposite flank, Conor Bradley's fitness needs to be managed carefully. Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined at the moment so he can't rotate in, but Liverpool won't want to put too much strain on the Northern Irishman, who has already missed games this season.

Last term, Ibrahima Konate proved himself capable of playing three times a week consistently and he looked more composed and assured against Aston Villa. Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, will have no problem going again.

In midfield, there is another tricky dilemma. The Gravenberch-Mac Allister-Szoboszlai axis was very good at Anfield in the Premier League and it might make sense to retain it.

Slot said Gravenberch should be fine to go again despite him only just coming back from injury, but summer signing Florian Wirtz was benched against Aston Villa and it remains to be seen how he can slot in.

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Wirtz is the most attacking option Liverpool can field in the number 10 role. And while he doesn't shirk his pressing requirements, Szoboszlai is currently on another level.

The German could play off the left-hand side with Cody Gakpo taken out of the team. A role from the bench again, however, is just as likely with a potential reassessment for the trip to Manchester City.

Salah, after he scored and played well, will be in the team on the right-hand side. Hugo Ekitike, though his goal was ruled out for a narrow offside, should also keep his place.

For the time being, it remains unclear when Alexander Isak will return. Liverpool will train at 12.15pm UK time today (4.15am PT; 7.15am ET) and then Slot will offer the latest injury updates at 3.30pm UK time (4.15am PT; 7.15am ET) in a press conference.

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