Liverpool line-ups vs Newcastle as Andy Robertson starts at left-back | Football | Sport

Arne Slot knows his Liverpool side must secure a positive result against Newcastle United under the Anfield lights on Saturday night to keep their top-four aspirations alive and ease the mounting pressure on him. The Premier League champions’ 13-match unbeaten streak came to a crushing end last weekend when they conceded a stoppage-time goal against Bournemouth to lose 3-2.

The defeat saw Liverpool slip out of the top four, handing the advantage to rivals such as Manchester United and Chelsea. Newcastle have endured their own struggles this season, but a win at Anfield would see them climb above their hosts in the standings. With three points crucial for the Reds, Arne Slot must select his team without Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong or Joe Gomez, presenting the Dutchman with a considerable dilemma at right-back. However, centre-back Ibrahima Konate is available for selection again. A 6-0 midweek thrashing of Qarabag in the Champions League will undoubtedly have lifted morale, but Premier League opposition presents a different challenge entirely. We pick our starting line-ups to face Newcastle…

The primary question, as always with Liverpool, is who will take the right-back position? In reality, this is likely one of the simplest decisions yet for this recurring dilemma, given that both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are unavailable and Joe Gomez is also out of action.

Enter Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool’s versatile Hungarian, who has been the standout player of the season. The return of Ibrahima Konate is a welcome relief, and I plan to bring back Milos Kerkez, who should be well-rested after not participating in the match against Qarabag earlier in the week. Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk round off the defence.

In midfield, I’m selecting Curtis Jones, the day after his 25th birthday, alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman possesses all the qualities to excel as a centre-half in my opinion, but there’s no need to deploy him there if it can be avoided, so he returns to the deeper midfield position.

Mohamed Salah once again starts on the right wing, and Florian Wirtz is chosen on the left, although the German international has the liberty to drift, which he will inevitably do. Hugo Ekitike is the main striker.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.

The Premier League returns after a full seven-day break for Liverpool. However, the Reds have yet to secure a victory in the competition this year. Newcastle United at home this evening presents the latest opportunity to rectify that shortcoming. So what should Reds manager Arne Slot do?

There will be alterations, but not wholesale changes. And certainly not between the sticks. That’s Alisson Becker’s domain.

At left-back, Milos Kerkez could come in for Andy Robertson, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai will need to do his side a favour and deputise at right-back for at least this fixture. Ibrahima Konate is fit and can therefore partner captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

In the engine room, Ryan Gravenberch can revert to his customary double pivot position alongside Alexis Mac Allister, with Florian Wirtz operating as the attacking midfielder. Up front, it’s Mohamed Salah on the right flank, Cody Gakpo on the left and Hugo Ekitike leading the line.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

I’ve lost count of how many different right-backs Arne Slot has used this campaign, but due to an injury crisis, he’ll have to make another switch here against Newcastle.

Wataru Endo performed admirably when selected against Qarabag on Wednesday night, but with all due respect to the Azerbaijani side, nullifying the threat of players like Anthony Gordon is an entirely different challenge.

I’ve no desire to see midfielders such as Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai deputising in this role either, and for that reason, I believe it’s time to rely on the experience and adaptability of Andy Robertson. The club’s vice-captain has previously operated on the opposite flank to his preferred position – particularly with Scotland.

And I’m confident he can do so again here in a back four alongside Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.

The toughest contest for this fixture could be in the middle of the park, where the Magpies are especially formidable. Liverpool aren’t blessed with notable ball-winners, but it would be wise to select players who are tactically astute.

With Hugo Ekitike back available, it makes sense to return to a 4-3-3, with a midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexi Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. In attack, I’d retain Salah in his customary left-hand side role and Ekitike through the centre, with Florian Wirtz on the right.

I much prefer Wirtz operating freely behind the striker, but it is crucial that Liverpool are defensively sound in midfield on Saturday and the in-form German is more than capable of performing an effective job on the left.

My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.