Liverpool manager Arne Slott revealed the unexpected injury news in a press conference on Friday. Ahead of the match against Nottingham Forest, it was announced that Conor Bradley and Florian Wirths were injured and would miss the game against Sean Dyche’s side, with Bradley expected to be out for a long period of time after his performance against Northern Ireland.
However, there is also good news that goalkeeper Alisson Becker is fit enough to rejoin the squad after missing eight games with a hamstring injury, with Slott confirming he will be in contention to play against Forest. But with so much uncertainty surrounding the team, especially at right-back, who will Slott choose for the game at Anfield?
Ian Doyle
Nottingham Forest are one of only two teams in the Premier League that Arn Slott has never lost to as Liverpool manager (the other being Fulham).
The fact that Forest have had a third different manager this season speaks volumes about how their campaign is progressing under Sean Dyche’s leadership. However, Liverpool are currently one of the top flight’s poorest teams and a win could stabilize their performance.
So what should Reds manager Arne Slott do?
There will also be changes. And not all of them are warmly received.
Alisson Becker will return in goal, with Milos Kerkes likely to replace the tired Andy Robertson at left-back. The Scotland captain missed Thursday’s training session to attend a family funeral. Ibrahima Konate will continue his partnership with centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
The right-back position is a challenge, but Joe Gomez seems the safest choice for this game.
This leaves little room for changes elsewhere. Ryan Gravenbirch and Alexis Mac Allister form a double pivot in midfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai filling in as number 10.
Up front, Hugo Ekitike leads the attack, with Mohamed Salah on the right and Kodi Gakpo on the left.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alison. Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkes. Graven Birch, Mac Allister. Salah, Shoboshlai, Gakpo. Ekichike.
mark jones
Injuries to Conor Bradley and Florian Wertz were an unexpected setback ahead of their return to domestic action, but despite their form before the international break, Liverpool should still have enough firepower to beat Nottingham Forest at home.
Alisson’s return is important and while there may be a temptation to protect him given his importance, he needs to be back immediately. There may be a case for resting him against PSV Eindhoven in midweek to alleviate the strain on his troublesome hamstring, but that’s another matter.
Defensively, we will discuss the important right-back position shortly, but Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk will most likely be used in the centre. After Andy Robertson has had a tough week on and off the pitch due to family funerals, I would like to give Milos Kerkes a run on the left.
Kerkes needs to gradually regain his confidence and given the fixture list there is no reason why he cannot rotate effectively with the Scot over the coming weeks.
So I moved to right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai showed some great performances at the beginning of the season, but with Wirtz absent, he will be required to play in midfield.
I therefore choose to reprise the role that Curtis Jones adopted in the final weeks of his title-winning campaign. And in the middle we have Ryan Gravenbirch, Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.
Mohamed Salah is the obvious choice in attack. With coach Arne Slott expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of playing time for Sweden’s Alexander Isak, I would choose Kodi Gakpo on the left and Hugo Ekitike as a central striker.
After that, Isak could come on as a substitute and, if everything goes to plan, could start against PSV. And of course it will, right?
My team (4-2-3-1): Alison. Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkes. Graven Birch, Mac Allister. Salah, Shoboshlai, Gakpo. Ekichike.
Theo Squires
Liverpool will return to action after the November international break and will take on Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The Reds will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Manchester City.
Despite expectations for Alisson Becker’s return to goal, coach Arne Slott faces another injury crisis.
Conor Bradley’s recent injury leaves Liverpool without a natural right-back, forcing Slott to consider alternative options for the position.
Joe Gomez may seem like the ideal choice, but given his own injury history and limited game time, Slott has expressed the need to treat him with caution. Given Liverpool’s already thin centre-back resources, I wouldn’t pick him for this game.
Instead, Dominik Szoboszlai will reluctantly take up the right-back role, with the rest of the defense likely to remain unchanged.
Szoboszlai’s replacement will require a new number 10.
With Florian Wirtz also out with a muscular injury, my pick would be Hugo Ekitike in a slightly deeper role, with Kodi Gakpo returning on the left wing.
Slott has previously stated that the France international is a strong option in this position and is worth giving him a chance. This also allows Swedish striker Alexander Isak to join the starting lineup after his return from injury.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alison. Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson. Graven Birch, Mac Allister. Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo. Isaac.
