1 week ago
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Arne Slot isn’t one to be swayed by public opinion. Nor does he typically change his mind on players.
Just ask Federico Chiesa, last season’s sole summer signing who wasn’t afforded a Premier League start until after the title was sewn up in April. Even this term, he has found minutes hard to come by, despite his repeated impressive cameos off the bench.
But Slot could change tact on Sunday. He may have no other option if he wants to alter his and Liverpool’s fortunes. It’s no exaggeration to say another bruising defeat at West Ham United could mark his final appearance in the Liverpool dugout.
Truthfully, the Dutchman’s team selections have always felt a little unorthodox. But when you’re winning, no one cares. That has changed of late, though, and so too must his approach to team selection.
It’s difficult to justify the continued inclusion of Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah or Alexander Isak.
Alarmingly, that’s half of what Slot sees as his first-choice XI. Even more concerning is the fact he may have no choice but to stick with several of those star names.
Injuries are a factor. Slot only has five fit defenders, for example, while Florian Wirtz and Joe Gomez may not be fully fit still.
The latter feels like an obvious inclusion in Sunday's starting line-up, if he’s available. Gomez also highlights the rigidity of Slot’s selections this season; he has yet to start a single league or European match.
“It is always that balance of if you don't change, people think you should change more,” Slot explained pre-match, when asked if he would consider changing personnel at the London Stadium.
“There was a period of this season where we lost and I made a couple changes and people complained. I consider it, but I cannot tell you the end product of that consideration for Sunday...yet.”
If changes are afoot, the introduction of Gomez feels like a clear starting point. He can play right-back, with no natural options available in that role, or could replace the error-strewn Konate at the heart of defense.
At left-back, Andy Robertson’s playing opportunities have also been unfathomable this season. Having determinedly stuck with Kerkez in the early weeks of the campaign, Liverpool saw an upturn in form when the Scot replaced him in the side, only for that to vanish since Kerkez’s return after the international break.
Bringing Robertson back into the fold at West Ham is a no-brainer, as is the decision to replace Salah with Chiesa.
He may be a Liverpool icon, legend and all-around global superstar, but there is simply no justifying Salah’s involvement, especially with no goal contributions in his last four matches.
One last curveball to consider is Wataru Endo. Another who is continually overlooked by Slot, despite his repeated insistence that the Japan captain holds an important place in the squad.
Zero meaningful starts under Slot would suggest otherwise. But for a team that looks so toothless in midfield, some of Endo’s industry-strength bite could be a welcome addition in the middle.
This is the time for the Liverpool head coach to try something different, to break from tradition. It might be now or never.
Suggested Liverpool starting XI vs West Ham: Alisson; Jones, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Isak, Gakpo.
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