Liverpool are seeking to put back-to-back defeats behind them when they visit Chelsea on Saturday evening.
The Reds have produced dismal performances away at Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, with Arne Slot now staring at a third successive defeat for the first time during his Liverpool tenure. The Dutch coach will also be well aware of title challengers Arsenal, who can leapfrog his side in top spot this weekend.
Fortunately for Liverpool, their fitness concerns pale in comparison to Chelsea‘s, and the reigning champions will be desperate to take advantage of their injury-stricken hosts to return to winning ways before the international break.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up.
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili—Alisson’s latest injury, which will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks, will offer Mamardashvili his first run in the Liverpool team. The Georgia international is an extremely capable deputy.
RB: Conor Bradley—Liverpool need some consistency in the right back position having used Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai in the role this term. The more defensive-minded Northern Ireland international could be utilised for a difficult away day.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté—Konaté’s performances have been dire this season, with his head seemingly turned by talks of a Real Madrid transfer next summer. Unfortunately for Slot, he has few alternatives.
CB: Virgil van Dijk—Even Liverpool’s imperious captain has been unable to prevent the Reds from a series of disastrous defensive displays. The Dutchman needs to help his side steady the ship.
LB: Andy Robertson—Milos Kerkez has endured teething problems at the beginning of his Liverpool career, with Slot potentially resorting to the experience of Robertson against Chelsea’s impressive forward line.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch—Gravenberch has already played a lot of football this season, with rests likely to be few and far between for the Dutchman moving forward. He’s simply indispensable.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister—Liverpool missed Mac Allister’s calming presence and ball retention abilities in defeat at Galatasaray, with Slot certain to recall the Argentine to the starting lineup on Saturday.
AM: Florian Wirtz—What does Slot do with Wirtz, eh? The £116 million German needs game time to gel with his new teammates, but his performances have been consistently underwhelming.
RW: Mohamed Salah—Salah has been in disappointing form by his standards this term but he boasts a strong record against former employers Chelsea. He’s managed five goal contributions in his last eight Premier League duels with the Blues and should return to the XI after being benched midweek.
ST: Alexander Isak—With Hugo Ekitiké a slight doubt for Saturday’s game, £125 million Isak could be called upon to start once more. He opened his Liverpool account in the Carabao Cup third round but is yet to deliver a truly impressive display.
LW: Cody Gakpo—Gakpo started the season on fire but his form has been patchier in recent matches. He needs to rediscover his mojo or risks losing his place down the left-hand side to Liverpool’s new cult hero Federico Chiesa.
