Arne Slot looks set to make at least one big call with his Liverpool side to take on Arsenal today as the Premier League champions continue their victory tour.
A defeat at Chelsea last time out wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of the traveling Reds, who are still celebrating a 20th league title. The party is set to continue at Anfield today, especially with Mikel Arteta’s side set to give another guard of honor.
The Arsenal boss has raised the temperature somewhat ahead of the game, with his comments over recent days gaining plenty of attention as he appears to not be taking another trophyless season too well. Although Slot is not rising to the bait, there’s no doubt a victory over the Gunners today would taste sweet, even with any jeopardy having long been removed from the game.
What could have been a title decider is now nothing more than another game for Liverpool. Still, it feels like a game for Slot to play his strongest possible side, and send a message to his opposite number.
With that in mind, we want today’s team to take on a much more familiar feel than it did at Stamford Bridge – albeit with one key change.
Slot has already indicated that Conor Bradley will be starting over Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. No complaints here – the vice-captain has made his decision to leave, so Liverpool should be looking to the future now.
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Lining up alongside Bradley should be the returning Ibrahima Konate – who hopefully won’t be following Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid next year – as well as Virgil van Dijk, while Andy Robertson can reclaim his spot at left-back, with Alisson Becker in goal as usual.
Having experimented with his midfield at Chelsea, Slot should revert to the trio that has served him so well this season.
That means a return not only to the squad for Ryan Gravenberch, but to the starting XI as well. He lines up alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
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Mohamed Salah takes his usual spot on the right, and considering we’re going with the strongest side here, it’s clear who should be getting the nod up front.
At this point, Luis Diaz is the best option. Diogo Jota hasn’t quite looked up to speed recently, while Darwin Nunez is Darwin Nunez, and he showed again last week why Liverpool needs an upgrade in the No.9 role.
That just leaves a spot on the left-hand side, so Cody Gakpo gets the nod there. Hopefully Federico Chiesa might get a bit more time to stake his claim though ahead of next season.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Arsenal: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.
