Arne Slot certainly hasn’t had many better weeks in his coaching career.
2-0 wins over Real Madrid and Manchester City leave Liverpool in commanding positions at the top of the Champions League and Premier League tables.
The slot man, of course, inherited a squad capable of challenging for the highest honours, but not even he would have imagined such a thrilling start to his reign on Merseyside. While Jurgen Klopp’s Reds could only go so far last season, Slot’s current iteration has been defined by their control and ability to adapt to any situation.
However, they will be tested this week after their recent highs. Liverpool aim to avoid a worrying drop when they face Newcastle United on Wednesday and here’s the team the lottery could pick for their upcoming Premier League fight.
GK: Kevin Kelleher – The Irishman could have slept through most of Sunday’s game but Kelleher was still on hand to save his captain by denying Kevin De Bruyne one-on-one. He continues to shine in Alison’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 lost the Man City duelbut Gomez was excellent in his absence at Anfield on Sunday. He should hold his own against Jarell Quansah.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Sunday was a timely reminder of Van Dijk’s undeniable excellence. If he stays injury free, it’s hard to imagine anyone closing the current gap to the league leaders.
LB: Andy Robertson – After missing much of pre-season, Robertson has been forced to work his way through 2024/25 and so far it hasn’t been plain sailing for the Scot. However, Slott has been forced to rely on his experienced full-back with Kostas Tsimika missing with an ankle injury.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool’s revelation continues to dazzle at the base of Slott’s midfield. There’s sure to be some rotation in the middle of the park, but Gravenberch is currently acting like an unimaginable pin.
CM: Curtis Jones – The England international has impressed this term, but competition is fierce in the Liverpool engine room. Jones was used off the bench against City and should be converted into the side on Wednesday.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Debate remains fierce over his future, with Salah hinting that Sunday’s game was his last against Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens at Anfield. However, he continues to produce at a breakneck pace.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – The Hungarian was excellent against the Cityzens and is in good form having scored 3-2 win at Southampton two Sundays ago. Szoboszlai’s strength will be important against a resilient Newcastle midfield.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo bagged his eighth goal of the season last time out, with Slott maximizing his compatriot by lining him up on the left.
ST: Darwin Nunez – Nunez was the hero on Tyneside last season as he scored twice overturn a 1-0 deficit in the closing stages. The Uruguayan continues to act as a factor of chaos up top – the opposite of the slot command – and is likely to get the nod on Wednesday, having appeared off the bench on Sunday.
