Liverpool lineups vs Qarabag as Joe Gomez replacement decided | Football | Sport

It’s the final matchday of the Champions League league phase, and unlike last year, Liverpool have genuine stakes in the outcome. Twelve months ago a weakened Reds outfit travelled to Eindhoven to face PSV, whose 3-2 victory failed to dislodge Liverpool from the summit, though that ultimately proved meaningless as they were paired with eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

This time the Reds require a favourable result to guarantee they remain within the top eight of the standings, as slipping outside that bracket would saddle them with a difficult playoff round to navigate next month. Given such a depleted squad, the last thing Arne Slot needs at present is additional fixtures. But what approach should the Reds manager adopt tonight? We have our say…

So secure victory this evening and the possibility of an unwelcome, two-legged tie to reach the Champions League knockout stages disappears. That’s the ideal scenario, isn’t it? Arne Slot has been at pains to emphasise how limited his options currently are, stating: “It’s almost constantly the same players who have to play.”

With Joe Gomez unavailable and Ibrahima Konate understandably away on compassionate leave, the responsibility falls to Wataru Endo to step in and partner captain Virgil van Dijk. In the full-back positions, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez retain their places, despite Andy Robertson’s claims on the left flank.

I am bringing back Curtis Jones for Alexis Mac Allister in the middle of the park to partner Ryan Gravenberch, with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai operating further forward in a 4-2-2-2 setup.

In attack, Hugo Ekitike returns to the starting eleven alongside Mohamed Salah. Cody Gakpo can bide his time on the bench with Federico Chiesa.

My team (4-2-2-2): Alisson; Frimpong, Endo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitike.

Following countless fixtures, Liverpool finally arrive at the conclusion of the Champions League league phase in an uncommon predicament for this campaign – they’re facing opponents they’ve never encountered previously.

Qarabag visit Anfield this evening with the Premier League title holders aware that victory will secure a top-four finish, favourable seeding and bypass of the play-off stages. What course of action, therefore, should Reds manager Arne Slot pursue?

Alterations will be necessary following the weekend’s events. One such change comes at centre-half, where Ryan Gravenberch should retreat to partner captain Virgil van Dijk.

Fellow Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong can occupy the right flank, whilst Andy Robertson enters the fray at left-back. Alisson Becker continues between the posts despite suffering a knock to his knee at Bournemouth. This means a reshuffle in midfield.

It’s the moment to switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones forming the defensive partnership whilst Dominik Szoboszlai operates as the number 10.

In attack, Florian Wirtz takes the left flank, Mohamed Salah occupies the right, and Hugo Ekitike can slot back in through the centre.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.

Let’s address the pressing issue immediately then. Joe Gomez was struck by his own goalkeeper, Ibrahima Konate is away on compassionate leave, Giovanni Leoni won’t feature for the remainder of the campaign and Marc Guehi is at another club. Therefore Liverpool require a centre-back.

It’s a difficult decision, but I think I’d opt for Ryan Gravenberch on this occasion. Liverpool should dominate possession, one would expect, and therefore his distribution from defence ensures he edges out Wataru Endo.

Elsewhere, I too would select Andy Robertson ahead of Milos Kerkez, who impressed in Marseille but found things harder at Bournemouth and could likely benefit from a breather.

The remainder of the side virtually selects itself, with Hugo Ekitike returning in attack instead of Cody Gakpo, who can provide an alternative from the substitutes’ bench. I was genuinely considering giving Rio Ngumoha a starting berth, but he’ll need to wait his turn.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.