Arne Slot could ring the changes when Liverpool faces Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday.
In truth, it’s difficult to anticipate how the Reds will approach the game, although as referenced by Slot in Friday’s press conference, the preparations have differed from Liverpool’s normal routine.
The head coach spent a few days before the match partying in Ibiza to commemorate the team’s title victory. As for the players, they flew to Dubai to continue the celebrations, something Slot felt was deserved after clinching first place with four matches to spare.
“You need to find the balance between days off and preparing very well for the next game,” Slot said on Friday. “So, we train today, tomorrow and Sunday, that’s three days in a row to be very well prepared for Brighton.
“Keep in mind that these players never had a few days off during the season because we were in the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League – and of course the Premier League – for a long time. So where other teams maybe had a few days off during the season, we hardly ever had that.”
The big question is whether Trent Alexander-Arnold is involved after he was jeered by supporters last time out against Arsenal.
“As you know, I wasn’t here in the last few days and neither was Trent, so I haven’t spoken to him yet,” Slot said when asked about the outgoing right-back.
“I think now it’s time to draw a line under that. Let’s focus now on the fact that we’ve won the league and for us to enjoy the upcoming one-and-a-half week with that feeling and not talk and be distracted that much about Trent’s situation.”
Conor Bradley, fresh from signing his new contract, is likely to hold on to his spot at right-back, while Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will probably continue their records of playing in every league match this season.
Apart from that, it’s unclear how Slot will approach the game. He handed rare starts to Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Watro Endo and Harvey Elliott at Chelsea, in the first of Liverpool’s four matches after being crowned champions.
(Image: Liverpool FC)
However, when Liverpool faced Arsenal, Slot reverted to a side more in keeping with his regular selections this season.
An XI closer to that chosen against Chelsea seems more likely at the Amex, with a stronger team named to face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Liverpool predicted XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones, Elliott; Salah, Jota, Gakpo.
