Liverpool travel to Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday and we’ve asked our writers to pick the Reds XI they’d choose
After returning to winning ways away at West Ham United, Liverpool had to settle for a share of the spoils when they welcomed Sunderland to Anfield on Wednesday night. In truth, it was another frustrating night for the Reds as they had a late own goal to thank for avoiding a 10th defeat in 14 games.
Next up for Arne Slot’s side is a trip to struggling Leeds United. But their visit to Elland Road will not be easy after the Whites stunned Chelsea 3-1 in midweek, only days after suffering a harsh defeat away at Man City.
Slot made headlines again against the Black Cats after naming Mohamed Salah on the bench for a second successive game and he now has a decision to make regarding whether or not to recall the Egyptian to his starting XI. Meanwhile, the Reds boss is set to welcome Conor Bradley back from injury at Elland Road.
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But how should Slot line Liverpool up for the challenge ahead then? Our ECHO writers have their say.
Paul Gorst
In the effort to make his Liverpool team harder to beat, Arne Slot appears to have sacrificed too much attacking intent from his line up. There could be no other conclusion to draw after Wednesday’s ponderous draw with Sunderland, where chances were at a premium against a well-drilled outfit.
The news that Conor Bradley is once more available for selection is a big positive given that Joe Gomez cannot realistically be asked to play three games in six days, so the Northern Ireland full-back starts the game in what is a rare case of Liverpool playing a specialist right-back at right-back. Wonders never cease.
Andy Robertson is likely to be less flustered by the furore of an intense Elland Road atmosphere under the lights, so he starts ahead of Milos Kerkez as Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk in the centre.
In midfield, it’s the same three who started against Sunderland with Dominik Szoboszlai in a more central area alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Florian Wirtz keeps his place in the team, wide left ahead of of Cody Gakpo, who isn’t doing enough to justify continued inclusion for my money.
If Slot is intent on finding a solution to his problems without Mohamed Salah then he could do worse than giving Federico Chiesa a run in the side. The Italian forward has rarely been flavour of the month for the head coach but he might be the key to unlocking more activity for the No.9, whoever leads the Liverpool line.
A lack of ego and a willingness to work hard will go a long way towards helping out the strikers. Just look at his performance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup when he claimed two assists for Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
As much as I think Chiesa might aid Isak in getting presentable chances in front of goal, I am naming Ekitike up top. Like Gomez, Isak is at risk of breaking down right now if he plays three games in such a short space of time, so the £125m striker can drop to the bench with Salah. It’s quite the combination to have in reserve, isn’t it?
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Ekitike, Wirtz.
Ian Doyle
Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. Yes, it’s Leeds United up next for Liverpool at the end of a week that is going to play a huge part in shaping Arne Slot’s immediate future.
Win, and the debate over his job will surely subside for a good while. Lose and, well, let’s not get into that right now.
What, though, is the Reds boss to do?
A third game in seven days means there are going to be changes. Not in goal, though. That’s Alisson Becker. The centre-backs stay the same with Ibrahima Konate partnering skipper Virgil van Dijk, but Milos Kerkez comes in at left-back.
Joe Gomez can begin at right-back in the knowledge Conor Bradley can come on in the second half if the England international is understandably tiring a bit.
In midfield, more rotation. Alexis Mac Allister needs a rest so Curtis Jones comes in on the left of the double pivot alongside Ryan Gravenberch, while Dominik Szoboszlai reverts to number 10.
Up top, Florian Wirtz can work from the left, Mohamed Salah is back on the right and Hugo Ekitike can come in down the middle.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekiti.
Theo Squires
Having seen Leeds only narrowly lose at Manchester City before battering Chelsea in midweek, Liverpool’s trip to Elland Road on Saturday will not be easy. The Reds will have to be a lot better than they were against Sunderland to get a positive result
Conor Bradley is back from injury, but given his record, Liverpool should tread carefully with him. Joe Gomez can keep his place as a result despite Arne Slot’s admission that he has been carrying a knock, but Milos Kerkez can return on the opposing flank.
With Cody Gakpo struggling against Sunderland before being taken off at half-time, I’d take him out of the starting XI.
Federico Chiesa can come in in his place, with the Italian deserving of a starting opportunity following a number of lively cameos. You can’t fault his effort at the very least.
Hugo Ekitike gets the nod up front with Alexander Isak dropping to the bench, while Mohamed Salah can return on the right after being left out of Slot’s starting line-up for the last two games.
And with the Egyptian restored to the side, Dominik Szoboszlai drops into a deeper midfield role alongside Ryan Gravenberch.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Chiesa; Ekiti.
