Liverpool are next up against Crystal Palace in the Premier League with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
Liverpool secured an eighth win in nine games under new coach Arne Slot with a 2-0 Champions League victory over Bologna at Anfield on Wednesday evening. An early goal from Alexis Mac Allister was followed by a trademark Mohamed Salah curler to see off the Italian side.
Liverpool will now turn their attention to the Premier League when they travel to Crystal Palace for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off aiming to temporarily open up a four-point lead at the summit.
And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.
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Defensive rotation?
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While Slot surprised by making only one change to the starting line-up in midweek, the final game in a spell of seven in 22 days – and the quick turnaround of less than 72 hours – means there is almost certain to be greater rotation at Selhurst Park.
That could come in the full-back positions, particularly left-back where Kostas Tsimikas has been given plenty of game time in the last three weeks in place of first-choice Andy Robertson, who shrugged off a minor knock to start against Bologna.
Conor Bradley hasn’t had quite the same minutes at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold starting all bar one game this season.
At centre-back, there remains a question over whether Ibrahima Konate can play three games in less than eight days for the second time in a month. Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez are both vying to step in should the Frenchman be rested from his usual place alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk.
Alisson Becker is once again the undisputed number one between the sticks ahead of Caoimhin Kelleher and Vitezslav Jaros.
Jones pushing
Once again, the midfield was unchanged on Wednesday with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister the double pivot in the deeper positions.
Dominik Szoboszlai bounced back from a poor display against Wolves and would be favourite to retain his number 10 role against Palace.
Curtis Jones, though, continues to press hard and is capable of featuring in all three midfield slots, although Wataru Endo had a miserable time at Selhurst Park last seasons as the number six when he was substituted at half-time.
Tyler Morton and Trey Nyoni both made the Champions League bench but could instead return to under-21 duty at the weekend against Manchester United, while Harvey Elliott won’t be back until after the imminent international break at the earliest from a fractured foot.
Jota ready
Concerns over the fitness of Diogo Jota after a foot problem saw him restricted to duty from the bench in midweek, but the Portuguese could now be in line for a recall down the centre of the attack with Darwin Nunez having struggled a little against Bologna.
Cody Gakpo continues to push Luis Diaz hard on the left flank and, with the Colombian looking a little tired on Wednesday, could come in for a first Premier League start of the season.
Federico Chiesa missed out on Wednesday and may not be ready for the weekend, with Mohamed Salah expected to continue on the right.
