Liverpool are looking to move 11 points clear of Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds lock horns with Pep Guardiola’s failing Man City at Anfield as they look to extend their lead at the summit of the Premier League, with Wednesday evening. Victory by 2-0 at Real Madrid, champion of Europe the perfect warm-up for a clash between two of the world’s best. The Cityzens may be out of color at the moment, but they still have an outstanding squad.
Injuries haven’t been brutal for Liverpool this season, but it’s easy to forget that the Reds have been without Alisson, Diogo Jota and summer recruit Federico Chiesa for several weeks. Unfortunately for Slot, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley have also recently been added to the injury list.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up for a mammoth encounter.
GK: Kevin Kelleher – Saving a Kylian Mbappe penalty at Anfield is a career highlight for Kelleher, but he can’t afford to rest on his laurels. The Irishman will be sorely tested Man City this weekend
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Bradley’s injury would have been disastrous for Liverpool had it not been for the return of Alexander-Arnold this weekend. Liverpool’s number 66 scored against Man City last season and will be keen to make a similar impact on Sunday.
CB: Joe Gomez – With Konate out of Sunday’s battleGomez may win an increasingly rare start. Jarell Quansah has been one of Liverpool’s few disappointments at the start of the slot era and Gomez’s experience could prove useful in stifling Erling Haaland and co.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – One defender Liverpool cannot afford to lose is their skipper, who has been absolutely dominant for the Reds this season. The duels between the Dutchman and Haaland are always a fascinating watch.
LB: Andy Robertson – Despite Liverpool’s impressive form, Robertson has been off the boil. He has conceded penalties in his last two games and Man City may be looking to target the Scot at the weekend.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – There were question marks over whether Gravenberch could be the answer to Liverpool’s midfield woes on the big stage. Well, the win over Madrid put those questions to bed after another brilliant display from the Dutchman.
DM: Alexis McAllister – Mac Allister scored a great goal in midweek and produced a performance to match against Madrid. He was at the center of things in this game in the last quarterscoring a penalty before the end of the drama in which he could have won a spot-kick.
RW: Mohamed Salah – The super-consistent Salah was as stunned as anyone in the stands when he kicked an offside penalty on Wednesday. Don’t expect him to make that mistake twice, as the Egyptian has 11 goals and six assists in 21 appearances for Sunday’s opponents.
AM: Curtis Jones – Jones is in the form of his life this season as Slot continues to feed the local boy. He should get the nod ahead of the in-form Dominik Szoboszlai despite featuring for 83 minutes in midweek.
LW: Cody Gakpo – The battle between Luis Diaz and Gakpo for the starting left winger position is too close to call, but another goal from the latter against Madrid may tip the balance in his favor this weekend.
ST: Darwin Núñez – Núñez has shown promising signs in recent weeks and will be eager to stretch a defense that has been wide open of late. Man City have conceded 15 in their last five outings, which will be music to the Uruguayan’s ears.
