Arne Slot will have to make at least one change for Sunday’s League Cup final against Newcastle United. Liverpool exited the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, losing on penalties at Anfield.
But they suffered further misery as Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off with a serious-looking ankle injury. Ibrahima Konate also limped off in extra-time, though Slot has played down his issue.
Having come through a gruelling 120 minutes against the Parisians, only the injured Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota failed to complete the full 90 minutes from Slot’s starting XI. Meanwhile, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah all completed the full match.
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With Liverpool having to pick themselves up and go again after a far from ideal preparation against PSG, the ECHO takes a look at the changes Slot might consider at Wembley…
Kelleher or Alisson
Alisson is Slot’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, but the Dutchman has, for the majority, followed predecessor Jurgen Klopp’s lead by fielding his number two in the League Cup. Consequently, it would not be a surprise if Caoimhin Kelleher got the nod at Wembley for his third final appearance in four years.
Jarell Quansah is poised to replace the injured Alexander-Arnold at right-back, with Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley still sidelined. Konate should be passed fit to play, but if not, Wataru Endo might be turned to as an emergency centre-back.
Virgil van Dijk will captain the side, but Kostas Tsimikas is an option at left-back if Slot opts to rotate after Robertson completed the full 120 minutes against PSG.
Unchanged midfield
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister were both taken off in extra-time against PSG, despite their grievances with the decision, and will likely keep their places.
Gravenberch is also expected to continue at number six. Curtis Jones will likely continue on the bench after a disappointing cameo on Tuesday night, while Endo and Harvey Elliott are further options.
Attacking dilemma
Salah will keep his place on the right at Wembley, but the rest of Liverpool’s attack is rather more uncertain. Cody Gakpo made his return from injury off the bench against PSG but was barely involved, with it debatable if he would be fit enough to start.
If not, Luis Diaz will keep his place on the left. That will leave both Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez vying to start upfront, but the pair have both failed their audition to cement a starting berth at Wembley in recent weeks following a number of unconvincing displays, as questions over their long-term futures and the Reds' potential need for a new striker in the summer continue.
The Portuguese perhaps has the edge, though Diaz is also an option through the middle if Gakpo is deemed fit enough to start.
