Arne Slot believes Liverpool has got pretty good backups for the regulars
Arne Slot has had a brilliant start to life as Liverpool boss masterminding some brilliant wins at Anfield as well as remaining unbeaten away from home.
Slot has done something no manager in charge of an English top flight side has ever done before, winning 14 of his opening 16 games including winning all four of his Champions League games, joining only Jurgen Klopp as the only Liverpool managers to do that in a season and naturally Slot is the first Liverpool manager to win his first four Champions League games as Liverpool manager.
The only team with a 100% record in the Champions League, the Reds are top of both the European and Premier Leagues with Slot leading the Reds to 25 points so far.
But they are now set for a huge test at Anfield against Aston Villa, another side flying high in the Champions League. But how will Slot mastermind their defeat tonight at 20:00 on TNT Sports.
Liverpool predicted line-up
Goalkeeper: Caoimhín Kelleher
As per usual, the Irishman has really stepped up with Alisson out injured making two great saves late in the game against Bayer Leverkusen. He is a certainty to start again as he continues to raise questions about his future but his recent performances won’t hurt his options, but he needs another good game today.
Right-Back: Trent Alexander-Arnold
A very easy pick, as much as I like Conor Bradley, Trent is a guaranteed starter in games like this. He has impressed defensively this season adding that to his offensive skill that makes him the best in the world. This will be another big game for the fullback as his future remains shrouded in history.
Centre-Backs: Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil Van Dijk
These two have been almost unbreakable this season and Slot has to keep them together again for this clash against Villa, despite how impressive Joe Gomez was last week. This will be another big test but the pair of them continue to tackle every challenge that’s thrown at them and bring a great balance to the side.
Left-Back: Kostas Tsimikas
This is one of the toughest selections in the team because Andy Robertson will always be loved, but he has shown at times a weakness in his game this season and last. Kostas hasn’t been perfect by any means, but he impressed last week against Brighton and should be given the start again.
Midfield Three: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dom Szoboszlai
Another tough choice and it pains me to not include Curtis Jones, but the last big Premier League game we had he was lukewarm in midfield and the Reds will need some fresh legs against Villa. Gravenberch is a nailed on starter whilst Mac Allister is a must for games like this, so it is Jones who drops out. Jones will be on the bench alongside the likes of Endo and Tyler Morton.
Right Wing: Mo Salah
Always the easiest pick of the bunch, Mo Salah is a definite on the right edge for Liverpool with nine goals and nine assists this season, these are the games where he steps up and produces the big moment and after failing to score midweek he will want his goal for sure.
Striker: Darwin Nunez
Despite how effective Luis Diaz was down the middle on Tuesday, the attack needs fresh legs and with no Jota they can only come from Darwin Nunez, so he must come back into the starting XI after being benched midweek.
Left Wing: Luis Diaz
Unfortunately, this means that one of Liverpool’s star men have to be dropped today and it will likely be Cody Gakpo. Despite four goals in his last three games, if Nunez comes back in it will be Gakpo who misses out after all you can’t drop Diaz after scoring a hat trick.
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