Arne Slot surely hasn’t had many better weeks in his managerial career.
2-0 wins over Real Madrid and Manchester City leave their imperious Liverpool side in commanding positions at the top of the Champions League and Premier League tables.
Slot, of course, inherited a squad capable of competing for top honours, but not even he would have predicted such an exciting start to his reign on Merseyside. While Jurgen Klopp’s Reds could only go as far as excitement took them last season, the current iteration of Slot has been defined by his control and ability to adapt to any circumstance.
However, they will be tested this week after their recent highs. Liverpool They aim to avoid an anxiety-inducing slump when they face Newcastle United on Wednesday and here’s the squad Slot could pick for his next Premier League combat
GK: Kevin Kelleher – The Irishman may have napped for most of Sunday’s clash, but Kelleher was still on hand to save his captain by denying Kevin De Bruyne one-on-one. He continues to shine in Alisson’s absence.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Conor Bradley is set for a spell on the sidelines but Liverpool have been boosted by Alexander-Arnold’s recent return from injury.
CB: Joe Gomez – Ibrahima Konate has joined Bradley on the sidelines and he missed the Man City duelbut Gomez was outstanding in his absence at Anfield on Sunday. He should hold his spot over Jarell Quansah.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Sunday was a timely reminder of Van Dijk’s undoubted excellence. If he stays injury free, it’s hard to imagine anyone filling the current gap to the league leaders.
LB: Andy Robertson – After missing much of pre-season, Robertson has been forced to work until 2024/25 and it hasn’t been easy for the Scot so far. However, Slot has been forced to lean on his experienced full-back with Kostas Tsimikas missing with an ankle injury.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool’s revelation continues to dazzle at the heart of Slot’s midfield. There will certainly be some rotation in the middle of the park, but Gravenberch is currently operating as an unmissable pivot.
CM: Curtis Jones – The England international has impressed this term, but competition is fierce in the Liverpool engine room. Jones was used from the bench against City and should be rotated into the side on Wednesday.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Talk continues about his future, with Salah hinting that Sunday’s bout was his last against Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens at Anfield. Still, he continues to produce at an astonishing rate.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – The Hungarian was excellent against the Cityzens and is coming into good form after scoring the 3-2 win at Southampton two sundays ago Szoboszlai’s running power will be important against a tenacious Newcastle midfield.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo scored his eighth goal of the season last time out, with Slot maximizing his compatriot by slotting in from the left.
ST: Darwin Núñez – Núñez was the hero on Tyneside last season as he scored twice reverse a 1-0 in the final phase. The Uruguayan continues to act as an agent of chaos up top, the antithesis of Slot’s order, and will likely be given the nod on Wednesday after coming off the bench on Sunday.
