2 hours ago
2
Arne Slot faces several selection dilemmas ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Galatasaray on Tuesday.
Approaching the end of a gruelling 21-day schedule in which the Reds play seven matches, rotation and maintaining freshness will certainly be on Slot’s mind. So too will the disappointing performance at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Few who started in the 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace did anything to convince Slot that they are deserving of a spot in the midweek team, although Alisson alone can be proud of his contribution. Were it not for several important saves from the Brazilian, the margin of defeat would have been significantly worse on Saturday.
At the heart of defense, could Slot consider dropping Ibrahima Konate for Joe Gomez? The latter has started just one match this season and is eager for minutes, while Konate’s form has been up and down in recent weeks. He is Slot’s preferred choice, but after the woeful performance at Selhurst Park, an alteration feels possible.
The same is true in the full-back departments. Conor Bradley struggled at Palace and was replaced at half-time, although Jeremie Frimpong was criticized for his error that led to Eddie Nketiah’s late winner.
Meanwhile, Andy Robertson may be introduced for Milos Kerkez on the opposite flank if Slot looks to rotate the team.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai’s starting spots appear nailed on, but Alexis Mac Allister looks like a prime candidate to drop to the bench, given his minutes are still being managed.
Florian Wirtz may move into a No. 10 role, although he endured another disappointing outing against Palace and has faced widespread criticism in the aftermath. Curtis Jones is another option, but his form has also been patchy in the early weeks of the season.
So has Mohamed Salah’s. It’s difficult to imagine Slot dropping the 33-year-old, but he needs more output and regular contributions from his star man.
He will likely line up on the right wing, with either Wirtz, Cody Gakpo or Federico Chiesa on the left. The latter scored again at the weekend and has now contributed four goal contributions from just 153 minutes this season.
Gakpo would seem to be the most obvious choice after he dropped to the bench on Saturday. He had previously started all of the Premier League games this season.
In the center, Hugo Ekitike is available after missing Saturday’s match due to suspension. Alexander Isak managed 84 minutes against Palace but is still being eased back in after his disjointed summer. The ex-Newcastle man will likely be selected as a substitute in Turkey.
Early Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz; Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo.
English (US) ·