Arne Slot Could Hand Liverpool Debut to “Rolls Royce” Who Has “Great Left Foot”

Liverpool are expected to shuffle their defence for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

The notable absences during Liverpool under-21s’ 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace yesterday were quickly observed.

With the Reds preparing to face Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals amidst a congested fixture list, Arne Slot faces some key decisions.

Liverpool’s priorities remain the Premier League and the Champions League, while the FA Cup, which begins against Accrington Stanley next month, sits third on the list.

Despite holding the record for the most Carabao Cup victories with 10 titles and being the current holders, the competition is lower in importance.

As a result, supporters are unlikely to be alarmed if Slot opts to make changes for Wednesday evening’s clash against Southampton.

Preserving Liverpool’s title push remains crucial, and with the busy festive period on the horizon, Slot must ensure his key players remain in optimal condition.

Due to limited defensive options, changes to the backline seem inevitable. Ibrahima Konate (knee), Conor Bradley (hamstring), and Kostas Tsimikas are all unavailable due to injury, while Andy Robertson is suspended following his red card in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Slot currently has just four defenders available, and it’s reasonable to assume he will look to rest at least two of them. Virgil van Dijk, who has been ever-present in both the Premier League and Champions League, has been a vital part of the team. However, at 33 years old, his workload requires careful management. Trent Alexander-Arnold, the only fit full-back, has also just returned from a hamstring injury.

Jarell Quansah, who has seen limited action this season following his impressive breakthrough campaign in 2023-24, appears likely to feature. Joe Gomez, Van Dijk’s regular partner during Konate’s absence, may also continue and could even take the captain’s armband.

However, the absence of several players from Liverpool under-21s’ entertaining draw with Palace could signal a potential debut for Amara Nallo.

The 18-year-old defender has made a strong impression since joining from West Ham United in the summer of 2023. Last season, Nallo featured 23 times, predominantly for the under-21s, despite being a first-year scholar.

This season, the centre-back has made 16 appearances, scoring twice. With Liverpool competing once again in the UEFA Youth League, he has captained the under-19 side in five of their six fixtures.

The England youth international was also named on the bench for Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle United earlier this month and could now be set to make his senior debut for the Reds.

Discussing Nallo in the past, West Ham youth coach Carlton Cole told whufc.com: “I would describe Amara as a Rolls Royce of a centre-back. He has a great left foot and is elegant when he moves with the ball. He can play the ball with both feet and has been working on his heading as well. He’s a player who has a high ceiling.”

On the left side of defence, with Robertson and Tsimikas unavailable, James Norris could be given an opportunity to make his full debut. Norris, 21, has been a regular participant in Slot’s training sessions and was on the bench for last week’s 1-0 victory over Girona.

Norris has already appeared for the Reds, making his debut in the 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup back in 2019, when Liverpool’s first-team squad was competing in the Club World Cup.

However, Trey Nyoni may have to wait for his first start for Liverpool. The young midfielder is highly rated and made his debut at 16 during the Reds’ 3-0 win over Southampton in last season’s FA Cup.

Nyoni impressed during pre-season and has spent much of the campaign training alongside Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and the rest of Liverpool’s senior squad at the AXA Training Centre. The 17-year-old also caught the eye with his brief but impactful performance in the 3-2 win against Brighton in the previous round of the Carabao Cup.

Unlike the defence, Slot has several options to choose from in midfield. Alexis Mac Allister is available again after serving a two-match suspension, while Wataru Endo is in need of minutes to maintain his rhythm. Similarly, Harvey Elliott requires playing time, having spent nearly three months sidelined with a fractured foot.

Jayden Danns was another player left out of the under-21s’ recent fixture. Danns made headlines last season with his brace in the FA Cup win over Southampton but has only just returned from a back injury.

While he could make the trip to the south coast, Slot will likely prioritise giving Diogo Jota – who marked his return from a rib injury with a crucial goal against Fulham – and Federico Chiesa some game time. Darwin Nunez, who came off the bench against Fulham, may also view the tie as an opportunity to regain confidence.

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