Arne Slot must make decision on Mohamed Salah as Liverpool change considered

Liverpool faces Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday as the Reds look to secure qualification for the last 16 - here are some decisions Arne Slot will need to make for the important game

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot may make some changes to his starting XI(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool's unbeaten streak continued, albeit with little celebration, following a frustrating 1-1 Premier League draw against Burnley at Anfield on Saturday.

The Reds have now dodged defeat in 12 matches across all competitions, but their lead over their closest rival for fourth spot in the Premier League, Manchester United, is down to just one point. Everton is 10th in the table, but only four points behind Liverpool.

Arne Slot's players will aim to edge closer to securing a direct spot in the Champions League last 16 when they face Marseille on Wednesday. In this piece, Liverpool.com will preview potential changes that Slot might consider for the upcoming European match.

Robertson ready to step in

Even a draw would put Liverpool in a favorable position to automatically qualify for the knockout stages before the team's final group stage match against Qarabag at home next Wednesday.

While Slot fielded a strong starting XI against Burnley, there's room for some squad rotation.

Alisson Becker is likely to retain his spot as the first-choice goalkeeper, ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.

Mohamed Salah is available for selection again(Image: Getty Images)

The left-back position isn't as straightforward, with Andy Robertson having started four out of six Champions League games - all victories - despite seemingly falling behind Milos Kerkez in the Premier League hierarchy.

With Conor Bradley sidelined for the season, Jeremie Frimpong remains the only recognised right-back option, as Calvin Ramsay is ineligible for the competition. Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai could be called upon should the Dutchman need a breather.

Gomez also serves as the primary alternative at center-back after the team's first-choice pair, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, although Wataru Endo is now fit to play. Youngster Wellity Lucky was among the substitutes at Inter Milan last month.

Midfield conundrum?

Achieving the perfect midfield balance has been a challenge for Slot this season, but he has all options open for the journey to France and may consider adjusting the formation accordingly, having utilized a diamond midfield and two No. 10s over the past six weeks.

If Liverpool stick with their usual 4-2-3-1, Alexis Mac Allister will be breathing down Curtis Jones' neck to start alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield, with Endo and Szoboszlai also in contention.

Szoboszlai returned to the number 10 role against Burnley but will be competing with Florian Wirtz for the position, although the German international can be deployed elsewhere.

Teenager Trey Nyoni hasn't made an appearance in the Champions League this season, but he was on the bench for the last two matches.

Salah's return

A lot hinges on whether Mohamed Salah will be immediately reinstated into the squad following his Africa Cup of Nations duty, given Liverpool's limited options on the right wing.

Wirtz shone in the role against Burnley, but has more often been seen on the left wing or as the number 10, while Szoboszlai recently started on the right. Regardless, Salah hadn't made the starting line-up in any of the five games prior to his departure.

Cody Gakpo is the leading choice on the left, although Rio Ngumoha has had significant game time there in the last two matches.

With Alexander Isak sidelined for several months, Hugo Ekitike is the primary central striker, with Gakpo and Wirtz also having played in various ways recently. Federico Chiesa is likely to be an option off the bench across the front three.