Liverpool have a two-week break before their next Premier League game and Arne Slot will be hoping for a few changes
02:58, 03 Sep 2025Updated 03:02, 03 Sep 2025
Arne Slot has some thinking to do before the Burnley match(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Following a hectic deadline day and a summer of significant changes for Liverpool, coupled with a challenging start to their Premier League title defence, it is time for a breather.
Arne Slot’s squad moved two points ahead after securing their third consecutive victory by defeating last season’s runners-up, Arsenal. They will return to action against newly-promoted Burnley next Sunday.
But there could be some significant adjustments to Slot’s squad when they return.
As always, Slot will be hoping that his players return from international duty unscathed. Given that Liverpool’s next match isn’t until 2pm on Sunday, there shouldn’t be any concerns about fatigue, particularly among the now small South American contingent.
Gomez really made a mark during the Arsenal game (Image: Getty Images)
The unsuccessful attempt to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace leaves Slot with four senior centre-back options until January.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who experienced cramp during the Arsenal match, remain the preferred choices. However, Joe Gomez’s impressive substitute appearance against Arsenal suggests he could benefit from another fortnight of training, reports the Liverpool Echo. Newcomer Giovanni Leoni didn’t make the bench and may have to wait for his debut in the League Cup.
In terms of left-backs, Milos Kerkez is currently favoured over Andy Robertson, while Alisson Becker remains the first-choice goalkeeper, with Giorgi Mamardashvili as his backup.
On the opposite wing, Slot might see the return of Jeremie Frimpong from a hamstring issue that has kept him out for two matches, while Conor Bradley is likely to gain some playing time with Northern Ireland.
Jeremie Frimpong impressed when he scored on his Liverpool debut earlier this year(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been impressing as a makeshift right-back in recent weeks, remains on standby.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister were paired in midfield on Sunday, but the latter was substituted after an hour, appearing less than fully fit following recent injury worries. Curtis Jones could fill in at the heart of midfield if needed, with Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo also available as alternatives.
Florian Wirtz showed significant improvement in the second half against Arsenal as he adjusts to the Premier League, although both Szoboszlai and Jones could be considered for the number 10 role, with Hugo Ekitike as another option.
Teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni hasn’t yet made an appearance in the Premier League this season.
Everyone wants to know when Isak will appear on the pitch(Image: Nikki Dyer – LFC, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The burning question is how much involvement new record signing Alexander Isak will have, given he has not played for Newcastle at all this season.
If deemed match-fit, Isak would likely lead the attack in place of Ekitike, with Slot unlikely to immediately deviate from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, though the possibility of pairing Isak and Ekitike may be explored in the future.
Ekitike would subsequently vie with Gakpo for a position on the left, while Mohamed Salah is expected to maintain his spot on the right. Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha present additional options in the attack.
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