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Arne Slot set to experience what Jurgen Klopp hated as Dominik Szoboszlai could lead 5 changes

Curtis Jones, Arne Slot and Dominik Szoboszlai.
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Liverpool is back on top of the Premier League table again but there is no time to stop and celebrate. Only six matches into the Arne Slot era, there is plenty more soccer left to play this season starting Wednesday.

Having already beaten AC Milan away from home in the Champions League this season, Liverpool has Bologna at Anfield in its second match of the new-look group phase. Getting another win on the board would cement the Reds' chances of finishing inside the top eight spots and therefore avoiding the extra two matches that the teams in the middle part of the table must face.

But with Wolves having been a close game this weekend and a trip to Crystal Palace coming in the early kick-off next Saturday, there is little in the way of a turnaround between fixtures. And that means rotation in the team will be needed.

Jurgen Klopp always hated the Wednesday night to Saturday lunchtime turnaround but Slot is set to experience that for the first time this week. The rules changed on that being allowed when a team is away in European competition on a Wednesday, but Liverpool is at Anfield midweek, and therefore the early kick-off slot the following weekend remains.

Alisson Becker was in good spirits post-Wolves as he made his comeback from injury and the Brazilian will retain his place in goal. But in the back four in front of him, there could be a couple of swaps.

Jarell Quansah could come in at center-back to keep Ibrahima Konate fresh. The Frenchman scored at Molineux but also gave away a goal with a sloppy error caused by a lapse in concentration.

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate. -Credit:Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Kostas Tsimikas could come into the starting XI again in place of Andy Robertson, or Joe Gomez could play left-back too. He came on for Robertson when the Scot picked up a slight knock at the weekend and performed quite well.

In midfield, Curtis Jones must be pushing for a start given he has done well lately and Dominik Szoboszlai has been mixed. The Hungarian was probably the weakest of the starting midfield trio at Wolves and he somehow failed to score a near-open goal. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to be asked to go again with only Wataru Endo, Jones aside, in reserve.

Cody Gakpo should be expecting another start this week but that could come against either Bologna or Crystal Palace. Darwin Nunez was ill for the match at Wolves but he could replace Diogo Jota. Federico Chiesa probably isn't ready for a Champions League start yet but Mohamed Salah will want to play regardless.