by Anfield is back in play as Liverpool host Chelsea on Sunday, with Arne Slot’s side heading into the game with a handful of questionable players.
After a two-week break, Premier League action is upon us, with Liverpool resuming their season as current league leaders and an early goal behind them.
Slot has discussed the Reds’ game plan so far, but he faces a test against Chelsea that will tell him more about his squad as they prepare for another three intense weeks.
Liverpool’s return from the last international break ended in a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest. So will the Dutchman learn the lessons from this day on Sunday?
This is how Slot could line up his team at Anfield.
Team news
Two days before the clash, Slot admitted that there were “some problems” in his squad after international success:
Liverpool’s team against Chelsea
With Alisson unavailable, the obvious change from last time is that Caoimhin Kelleher is between the sticks for the third time this season.
Slot’s first choice is obvious and it will be no surprise if he decides to get as close as possible, but Mac Allister is the big question mark after his recent fitness problems.
He played 66 minutes for Argentina in the second and final game and should be available against Chelsea, but Liverpool may have to be careful lest they lose him like Alisson.
Assuming everything went well at practice on Friday, here’s what we could see:
- Kelleher will sit behind Trent, Konate, Van Dijk and Robertson
- Gravenberch in midfield alongside Mac Allister and Szoboszlai
- Salah, Diaz and Jota will start together for the sixth time this season
The Reds would then line up as follows:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Jota
However, if Slot learns lessons from Forest and looks for more fresh talent after the international break, he could end up with a similar team to the one that played against Palace.
With Andy Robertson playing a maximum of 180 minutes for Scotland, Tsimikas could be turned to if he proves he has overcome the illness that plagued him during the break.
Mac Allister and Diaz are usually key members of the eleven, but the former’s fitness issues and a long journey back from South America could open up opportunities for Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo.
This would be a twist in Slot’s early rotation plan, but it’s a team that’s still more than capable of picking up all three points:
- Tsimikas at left-back over Robertson
- Jones will start in centerfield for the second straight game
- Gakpo on the left wing
Here’s how Liverpool would take the field:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
There is a good chance that Slot will name as close to his starting XI as possible, illness and fitness permitting. A rotation will then be considered against Leipzig in the middle of the week.
The loss to Forest has been on his mind, he’s mentioned it often enough, and Liverpool need to make sure they learn their lessons and start the next series of games with three points.
