Liverpool are in ninth cloud with six wins in a row from seven in the current season. The latest of them came on Saturday when the Reds welcomed Everton to the red side of town.
Having become infamous for losing leads this season, the Merseyside Derby was a display of a different complexion. Like always, Slot’s men conjured up an early lead.
However, unlike other games this season, Liverpool maintained the lead despite losing one out with Idrissa Gueye netting one for the Toffees.
The team was tired after a week of tiring matches, but the Reds somehow held out at 2-1. Interestingly, David Moyes turned bitter after the match, accusing Liverpool of wasting time and Darren England’s three-minute added disaster.
Nonetheless, Liverpool now awaits another clash as Southampton travels to Merseyside for a Carabao Cup fixture. This will be the Reds’ fourth game in under ten days, and Slot has warned of heavy changes in the lineup.
Arne Slot reassures a rotating lineup
Will Still will have a comparatively easier time against Liverpool (Credits: Imago Images)
Slot had previously mentioned his strategy following competition on all fronts. With the Southampton clash only a few hours away, the Dutchman gave reassurance to Liverpoolfc.com.
“Same as we did last season in the League Cup. So many games need to be played and our players are able to do so, but once in a while, they need a bit of rest as well.”
“Because we sometimes tend to forget because we are so focused – and I’m the first one – on our games at Liverpool, but many of them have played twice for the national teams as well.”
“So, they are able to do a lot, but once in a while they need a little bit of rest – and I’m talking about two days of rest, which is still not a lot. Yes, there will be a completely changed lineup”, Slot told the official Liverpool website.
Quiz: Name the team Liverpool signed these players from in the 2010s
The direct effect on the team
Arne Slot is making a good decision which aligns with his philosophy. Five players played the full 90 minutes in the last three games.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Ibrahima Konaté and Dominik Szoboszlai will hopefully be taking a full rest today.
Following this decision, we should see Joe Gomez taking space in the heart of defence and 18-year-old Italian signing Giovanni Leoni make his debut for Liverpool.
The gaffer also confirmed the debut of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alexander Isak in the starting lineup against Southampton.
“Yeah, we can go through all of them – Wata Endo and a few more.”
