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Arne Slot admitted in this week’s pre-match press conference that defensive numbers are a concern as Liverpool prepares to host PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
The Reds are down to just five fit defenders at present, with Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni absent through injury. Slot also revealed on Tuesday that Joe Gomez required an injection in his knee last week to make the bench for the defeat to Nottingham Forest.
It’s an area of the pitch that remains a real concern for Slot ahead of his fifth Champions League game of the campaign. “We have five defenders available, and [left-back] is in the only position where we have double,” said the Dutchman.
“In all the other positions, Joe Gomez can help us out but there's no other competition at this moment in time.”
Gomez has started just twice for Liverpool this season, both of which came in the Carabao Cup. Despite Slot clearly being reluctant to introduce the defender, he may feel the need to on this occasion.
Dominik Szoboszlai is another option at right-back, while Curtis Jones has also been deployed in that role in the past.
At the heart of defense, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are likely to maintain what has become a fragile partnership in recent weeks, ahead of the recently returned Alisson.
Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkez are options at left-back, with the latter putting in a solid display on Sunday despite losing 3-0.
With Florian Wirtz expected to miss out once again through injury, Slot could revert to the tried-and-trusted midfield trio of last season. Liverpool’s best results this campaign have come with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in the middle. Jones is another option.
Mohamed Salah will likely continue on the right wing despite earning renewed criticism this week. One of Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak will likely start up front, while Cody Gakpo will most likely start from the left.
Ekitike or Federico Chiesa could also operate in that role, although the latter has been limited to starts in the Carabao Cup this season.
With Liverpool facing a run of seven games in 22 days after the November international break, rotation could also be a driving factor in Slot’s team selection, especially in a match that many would view as the kindest fixture in that run.
Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo.
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