Eight Liverpool Changes Arne Slot Could Make Against AC Milan as Federico Chiesa Debut Pondered
Arne Slot is faced with the challenge of reworking his tactics following his inaugural defeat as Liverpool’s head coach.
Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League came to an end with a narrow 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Despite the setback, the Reds will need to quickly refocus, as their Champions League journey kicks off on Tuesday against AC Milan at the San Siro.
With a demanding schedule ahead, Slot has several important lineup decisions to make. As the match against Milan looms, here’s a breakdown of the key selection choices he is likely to consider.
Goalkeeper and Defence
Alisson Becker had little chance of stopping Callum Hudson-Odoi’s decisive goal but helped keep the scoreline respectable with an excellent save against Anthony Elanga.
While Caoimhin Kelleher was Liverpool’s main goalkeeper during last season’s Europa League, it’s unlikely that Alisson will be given a rest in this high-level competition.
Trent Alexander-Arnold injected energy into Liverpool’s play when he moved into a midfield role in the second half.
However, Slot has been cautious in managing Alexander-Arnold’s playing time, which means Conor Bradley could be considered for right-back, even though he was outpaced in the lead-up to Hudson-Odoi’s goal.
Virgil van Dijk stood out as Liverpool’s best player against Nottingham Forest, and Ibrahima Konate also performed well. However, with Konate’s injury history, his game time may need to be managed, which could give Jarell Quanah or Joe Gomez an opportunity to partner van Dijk.
Andy Robertson’s stamina dipped as the Forest game went on, resulting in Kostas Tsimikas replacing him when Slot adjusted the formation to a back three. This presents another tactical decision for the Liverpool manager to reflect on.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch did not have the same impact as he did in the first three games. Perhaps the two appearances he made for the Netherlands during the international break took a toll on his performance.
Wataru Endo, who has only made a brief substitute appearance under Slot, should be well-rested after being unused in the match against Forest. However, it’s worth noting that the Japan international may not be the ideal number-six for Slot’s preferred style of play.
Alexis Mac Allister stood out in the midfield, but it was understandable why he was substituted, considering he had been nursing a minor issue picked up while on duty with Argentina.
Curtis Jones could be an option to replace him, although there may be more scrutiny on Dominik Szoboszlai’s role in the team. Szoboszlai made several basic mistakes, and his two games for Hungary might have affected his performance.
The injury to Harvey Elliott is a significant setback, as Liverpool currently lacks a direct replacement for a natural No.10. One possible solution could be to give Federico Chiesa his debut, after he was excluded from the squad in the match against Forest.
The summer signing from Juventus is well-versed in Serie A, more so than most players in the Reds’ squad, and this could be the perfect opportunity for him to feature, provided he is match-fit.
Forward
Mo Salah left fans disappointed during the game against Forest, especially after halftime. He repeatedly gave the ball away, and his decisions were often questionable. Still, the fact that he played the entire 90 minutes indicates he might remain a key figure in the lineup.
Diogo Jota had little influence on the match, with his most significant moment being when he sent a decent shot straight to the visiting goalkeeper, Matz Sels. Darwin Nunez lost possession before Hudson-Odoi’s goal, but he might still earn a starting spot in future games.
Luis Diaz was Liverpool’s most dangerous forward, striking the post in the 17th minute. However, he appeared to tire as the game wore on, which might give Cody Gakpo an opportunity to feature in the next match.
In other Liverpool news, Three Liverpool Players Who Need to Step Up After Nottingham Forest Upset
