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Arne Slot reveals how he plans to keep Liverpool's six attacking players on side

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Arne Slot says he must keep Liverpool's attackers "alert" as they battle for game time this season.

The Dutchman must juggle the minutes of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo. as the Reds aim to fight on all fronts, yet keeping them happy and understanding of the need to rotate isn't an easy task.

Slot began the campaign with a front three of Salah, Jota and Diaz as Liverpool took on Ipswich Town on the opening weekend, with all three impressing enough to start the following games against Brentford, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

The Dutchman then switched things up for the Champions League trip to AC Milan where Gakpo replaced Diaz on the left, before Nunez entered the fray in place of Jota in attack for last weekend's victory over Bournemouth. On Wednesday, summer signing Chiesa got his first start of the season against West Ham.

Not one player has started all seven fixtures this season, yet the six forwards have already totalled a combined 24 goal contributions between them.

"For me it says two things," said Slot when asking about the decisions he faces in selecting his starting forward line. "1. These players have a lot of quality and 2. The team is always creating chances for the players that we are selecting for that game.

"If we play Cody or Luis, the team is creating so many chances for these individuals and because these players have so much quality they can promote these to assists or goals, that's what it says to me."

Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota both scored braces in Wednesday's 5-1 thrashing of West Ham
Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota both scored braces in Wednesday's 5-1 thrashing of West Ham

In just his second start of the season in Wednesday's 5-1 defeat of West Ham, Gakpo scored a second-half brace, while Jota achieved the same feat having been dropped against Bournemouth in the previous game - where Diaz also grabbed himself two goals after being dropped against AC Milan.

When asked how he is able to maintain his players' sharpness despite the lack of maximum gametime, Slot said: "That's the positive thing about playing so many games, that these players will always play a lot of games. I think they understand that they can't play every game unless it's absolutely necessary to keep them fit and sharp and ready to perform like they do.

"As long as they accept the situation as it is, and that's what they're doing at the moment because they have good numbers - and I see them smile a lot, as well - then that is a positive thing for us. I have to keep them alert and happy in the position they are in."

Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz were also on fire in Liverpool's last Premier League fixture against Bournemouth
Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz were also on fire in Liverpool's last Premier League fixture against Bournemouth

Ahead of Saturday's trip to face Wolves, Slot must once again navigate through the conundrum of which three forwards to play. Two names expected to be on the teamsheet are Salah and Diaz, who were rested against West Ham in midweek.

But deciding who will spearhead the attack between Nunez and Jota is where the real decision lies. Nunez was awarded his first start of the campaign in last weekend's 3-0 victory over Bournemouth and scored a stunning solo goal before laying on an assist in another strong performance against West Ham on Wednesday.

Likewise, Jota grabbed himself a first brace of the season in midweek to respond in the best way possible to being dropped against the Cherries. No matter who Slot chooses, though, the front three know they must be at their very best in order to retain their places.