Liverpool are next up against Newcastle United in the Premier League with Arne Slot facing some selection posers
01:00, 30 Jan 2026Updated 01:05, 30 Jan 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Liverpool secured direct progress to the last 16 of the Champions League with a resounding 6-0 home victory over Qarabag in their final league stage game on Wednesday night. The Reds ultimately finished third having responded to the weekend defeat at Bournemouth with their biggest win margin of the Arne Slot era.
Slot’s side will now aim to make inroads on the top four in the Premier League when they entertain Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
And here we look ahead to the changes Reds head coach Slot could make when his team are next in action.
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Gomez wait
While Liverpool made only two changes against Qarabag, there was both a switch in formation and in the position of several players. And much will depend on the available defenders after Jeremie Frimpong limped off early against the Azerbaijan side and is likely to face an extended spell on the sidelines.
With Conor Bradley out for the season, it leaves Calvin Ramsay – yet to make a Premier League appearance – as the only recognised right-back having been ineligible in midweek. Joe Gomez is rated touch-and-go having picked up a hip injury at Bournemouth, which would leave Wataru Endo, who replaced Frimpong on Wednesday, and Dominik Szoboszlai as the other options.
Ryan Gravenberch was forced into an emergency centre-back role alongside Virgil van Dijk against Qarabag, but, regardless of Gomez’s fitness, Slot is hopeful Ibrahima Konate will be available after missing the last three games on compassionate leave.
Teenager Giovanni Leoni won’t be available until next season while teenager Wellity Lucky is out with a hamstring injury. Fellow youngster Amara Nallo made his third senior outing for the final 15 minutes on Wednesday.
Andy Robertson will come under pressure from Milos Kerkez having started in midweek at left-back, but Alisson Becker is firmly first-choice between the sticks ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.
Wirtz question
Liverpool reverted to 4-2-3-1 against Qarabag and, should they have sufficient centre-backs available, Gravenberch will be expected to reunite with two-goal Alexis Mac Allister at the base of midfield with Szoboszlai likely to be required elsewhere and Endo a versatile substitute.
Curtis Jones, another option, is striving to be back available having missed out on Wednesday due to illness.
In the number 10 position, Florian Wirtz was hugely impressive with the versatile Szoboszlai and Jones possibilities in the role should Slot feel a change is needed.
Trey Nyoni came on for the final half-hour against Qarabag but has been limited to a couple of brief run-outs in the Premier League thus far. Stefan Bajectic has yet to feature for the under-21s this season due to injury.
Same again?
Hugo Ekitike returned to the starting line-up on Wednesday and will be expected to lead the line once more against a team who Liverpool beat to his signature in the summer.
Cody Gakpo is another option down the middle but has been featuring predominantly on the left of late, while Mohamed Salah’s first goal since November 1 reaffirmed the Egyptian as the preferred pick down the right flank.
Federico Chiesa came off the bench to score against Qarabag and offers an option across the front line, and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha made a second successive lengthy substitute appearance on the left flank.
Alexander Isak remains out while youngster Jayden Danns is still missing as he recovers from a serious hamstring injury.