Liverpool predicted XI vs Wolves as Arne Slot set to make Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah decisions

Guessing the identity of Liverpool's starting line-up is particularly difficult on this occasion, with factors such as rotation, form and the priority of the FA Cup likely to impact Slot's choices

Arne Slot could swap Rio Ngumoha for Mohamed Salah in Liverpool's line-up against Wolves

Arne Slot has several selection dilemmas to solve when he selects his Liverpool starting line-up to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Friday’s FA Cup clash

The Reds head back to Molineux three days on from the gruelling injury-time defeat in the Premier League, with Wolves no doubt buoyed by that victory. The FA Cup offers Wolves’ greatest chance of success this season, with Rob Edwards’s side cut adrift at the bottom of the table.

The same can be said of Liverpool’s priorities, though, given it will not win the Premier League and faces a daunting path in the Champions League. That has been underlined by Slot’s team selections in the competition this season, with the Dutchman naming strong line-ups against Barnsley and Brighton & Hove Albion in the previous rounds.

He will likely opt for something similar on Friday, especially as his first-choice XI failed to beat Wolves in midweek.

Yet, at least some rotation is expected back in the West Midlands. Steven Gerrard’s calls for Rio Ngumoha to start may well be answered, while Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson could return to the team.

With Jeremie Frimpong still regaining full fitness, he will probably drop to the bench after playing 72 minutes on Tuesday. Joe Gomez will likely replace him in the team.

Frimpong is unlikely to start against Wolves(Image: Getty Images)

Fitness levels could also determine Slot’s choices, with the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike in need of a rest.

Yet, it’s unlikely that all the quintet will be given the night. Liverpool simply doesn’t have the options.

Those numbers have been further depleted by Florian Wirtz’s recent injury, although Slot confirmed the German may be fit enough for a cameo appearance off the bench.

If changes are to be made, the wide areas seem like an obvious place to make them. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are struggling, while Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa are available, though neither is yet trusted to start league matches.

Ngumoha could start for Liverpool against Wolves(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Slot selected Alisson in the fourth-round win over Brighton, although Giorgi Mamardashvili played in the Barnsley victory. It’s unclear who will start in the fifth-round encounter.

Calvin Ramsay, Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison are fringe members of the squad who Slot may turn to, but it seems unlikely that any of the trio will start. They could be seen off the bench.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Cheisa, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Ekitike.