Liverpool predicted XI vs Wolves as Arne Slot weighs up Jeremie Frimpong and Federico Cheisa choices

The Liverpool head coach will have to incorporate some fringe members into the team against Wolverhampton Wanderers, due to the abundant number of absentees he is currently dealing with

Federico Chiesa and Jeremie Frimpong could start for Liverpool against Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arne Slot will have spent the Christmas period stewing over which makeshift Liverpool XI he will select for Saturday’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Premier League champions host the division’s current bottom side on Saturday, and the Reds will be hoping for a straightforward three points against a team that is yet to register a win this season.

But Wolves will also travel to Anfield knowing this is a perfect time to face Liverpool, given its plethora of absentees. Slot could be without eight first-team players for the encounter, including the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai, and Conor Bradley, who remains a doubt through injury.

One player who will definitely be ruled out is Alexander Isak after he suffered a broken leg in last week’s win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Therefore, Slot may only be able to call up 12 regular outfield squad members and will inevitably have to make some unorthodox selection decisions.

In nets, there are no concerns, however. Slot still has a full contingent to choose from, with Alisson in excellent form since returning to the team last month.

Frimpong could return to the line-up on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)

In defense, injuries to Bradley and Joe Gomez could open the door for Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutch international only returned to the team last week following a two-month absence through injury.

Slot said Frimpong should be fit to start against Wolves, but admitted he might have to take a few risks with players this weekend. If the right-back is deemed not ready to begin the game, Calvin Ramsay is an alternative option.

Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez will likely make up the back four, with Andy Robertson expected to be named on the bench once again.

Szoboszlai's suspension will cause Slot some selection decisions(Image: Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Szoboszlai’s suspension will cause a reshuffle. The Hungarian has started all 17 league matches this season, but the yellow card he was shown at Spurs will rule Szoboszlai out of Saturday’s encounter.

Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister should occupy places in the central areas, with Florian Wirtz on the left flank.

On the opposite wing, the depth of injuries across the squad could hand Federico Chiesa just his second-ever Premier League start. The ex-Juventus man has appeared 12 times in the league this season, all of which have come from the bench.

Rio Ngumoha is another option, with the teenager yet to be named in a Premier League line-up.

Finally, Hugo Ekitike will almost certainly lead the line and has netted five in his last three. With Isak out for a few months, the 23-year-old should enjoy an extended run in the team, barring any injuries.

The bench is likely to be made up of youth-team players and fringe members of the squad, with Robertson, Ramsay and Ngumoha expected to be joined by the likes of Trey Nyoni, Wellity Lucky and Kieran Morisson.

Predicted line-up: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Chiesa, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Ekitike.