Liverpool are next up against Brighton in the League Cup with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
Liverpool extended their impressive start under new coach Arne Slot with a battling 2-2 Premier League draw at Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. Mohamed Salah scored a late leveller after Virgil van Dijk had earlier also equalised as the Reds twice came from behind to remain four points ahead of the third-placed Gunners in second place.
Liverpool will now turn their attention to the League Cup when they are at Brighton on Wednesday evening aiming to continue their defence of the trophy they won in dramatic fashion against Chelsea at Wembley in February.
And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.
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Jaros question
The League Cup is very much third on the list of priorities for Liverpool at present, and as such Slot is almost certain to employ as much rotation as possible on the South Coast.
Whether that extends to the goalkeeper position will be intriguing, with Caoimhin Kelleher having been deputising for the injured Alisson Becker. Vitezslav Jaros, who made his debut as a late substitute at Crystal Palace earlier this month, is the alternative.
What happens with the defence will perhaps defend on the availability of Conor Bradley, who has missed the last three games with a knock. Should the Northern Ireland international be available, he would be favourite to start at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold rested.
That would then free up Joe Gomez to join Jarell Quansah at centre-back, the duo having started in place of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the win over West Ham United in the previous round. Kostas Tsimikas is likely to replace Andy Robertson with the pair regularly alternating at left-back this season.
Number 10 poser
Wataru Endo, who played the closing moments at Arsenal, will be expected to make only his second start of the season as one of the two defensive midfielders.
The identity of his partner will be a key call for Slot given both Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are due a breather. Curtis Jones has impressed in the role when called upon, although Tyler Morton has been waiting patiently for a further first-team opportunity after a short cameo against West Ham.
Should Morton play, that would free up Jones as an option in the number 10 position although Dominik Szoboszlai was a substitute at the Emirates and would offer fresh legs.
Harvey Elliott still hasn’t featured since early September due to a fractured foot, while 17-year-old Trey Nyoni may be called up for bench duty with fellow Academy player James McConnell still injured.
Salah to start?
Possibly Slot’s biggest conundrum is in attack. Federico Chiesa is hopeful of being back available and could step in on the right flank. Otherwise, Liverpool may be compelled to stick with Mohamed Salah for what would be only his fifth-ever start for the club in the League Cup. Szoboszlai could also play on the right depending on whether he is required in midfield.
Elsewhere up front, Diogo Jota’s absence means Darwin Nunez may have to make a fourth consecutive start down the middle unless Slot decides to begin with both Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz, with the latter playing as the central striker. Otherwise, Gakpo is likely to start ahead of Diaz on the left.
