Liverpool will be looking to finally find some form when they take on Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday night, but they will be without Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak.
Mohamed Salah was on the bench for Liverpool for the third game in a row, Arne Slott and Alexander Isak started on the bench. The Reds faced Leeds United again at Elland Road, looking to make it three games unbeaten and try to find some form of a consistent result.
Slott made headlines last weekend when he benched Salah for the first time in the Premier League this season. The decision was made after the Egyptian player remained on the bench throughout the match and had a disappointing start to the season.
Liverpool won that game 2-0 and the Dutch manager stuck to his guns and once again missed Salah against Sunderland in midweek. He came on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw, but failed to make an impact.
read more: Inside Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand’s explosive ‘feud’ after brutal World Cup drawread more: Liverpool manager Arne Slott says one player won’t be on Liverpool’s ‘four-man transfer candidate list’
Slott was asked about Salah in a press conference on Friday and insisted he was strongly considering adding him back to the starting XI. “Any player in my mind can start, and Mo is an exceptional player for us. He’s always in my mind to either start or come off (the bench).”
“Chat, yeah (I understand that) because he deserves it. He’s been very influential to me and for six or seven years. It’s totally normal for people to talk about it when he’s not (playing).”
However, he came off the bench again and was joined by Isak, who had the record. The Swede, who has not been in full action since his £125m transfer, started against the Black Cats in midweek but was replaced by Hugo Ekitike.
Elsewhere, Conor Bradley returns to the eleven in place of Joe Gomez, while Curtis Jones replaces Alexis Mac Allister.
Federico Chiesa was also placed on Liverpool’s substitutes bench despite growing calls for him to be given additional opportunities.
“Every player has the potential to start, but we have a lot of options to start at his position,” Slott explained. “He came off the bench a few times and made an impact.”
Liverpool XI vs Leeds: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkes. Graven Birch, Jones. Soboshlai; Gakpo warts; Ekichike.
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