Liverpool do not have long to lament on their latest defeat, small graces, with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday – and change ought to beckon for Arne Slot.
The plan for the Reds seemingly this season is that there is no plan, and as such changes to the XI in midweek ought to be on the cards.
Slot needs to find some balance in his side and move away from changing a player’s position multiple times in a game (kudos to Dominik Szoboszlai) to help lessen the confusion of which player is where.
• READ: Arne Slot’s Galactico problem: What exactly is Liverpool’s plan?
Frankfurt have proven to a team susceptible to conceding – 18 in their last five games – while also posing a threat at the other end, and Liverpool cannot afford to underestimate anyone at this stage.
That said, there are a handful of players that Slot should be looking to start in Germany.
Andy Robertson
Not for the first time this season we have called for Slot to turn to Robertson for experience and continuity in a turbulent time for Liverpool.
Is the Scot what he once was? No. But he and Virgil van Dijk have a strong understanding of one another and the relationship with Cody Gakpo – the favoured left winger – is established.
Change has to be embraced, but with no clear plan from Slot, he may as well seek to find stability with his vice-captain restored at left-back – there is no need to rush or dent Milos Kerkez‘s confidence.
Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool’s most in-form signing cannot be allowed to sit on the bench, even if that means the club’s record signing has to.
It was bizarre that he was not selected in the XI against Man United, and his introduction immediately sparked a reaction from Liverpool as he sought to run at their defence.
Frankly, there is no other option but to start Ekitike against his former club.
Jeremie Frimpong
You can argue Frimpong to start at right-back or as the right winger, in all honesty, as Mo Salah is struggling for form.
In this instance, though, it would be encouraging to see him used in defence with the same backline that started against Atletico Madrid.
He is not being utilised in a meaningful way and that has to change sooner rather than later.
Florian Wirtz
He was not signed to play on the bench so let’s not make it a habit!
The German was signed as a No. 10 with the system changed to accommodate his skillset, but the unfamiliar setup cannot become more familiar without him on the pitch.
He has been unlucky with his teammates not finishing off the chances he has created and the only way to establish and strengthen new connections is to play him.
We would especially love to see how he could connect with Alexander Isak and Ekitike from the start – but we may have to wait for that.
Curtis Jones
With Ryan Gravenberch possibly missing due to a twisted ankle, a rare starting opportunity could beckon for Jones for only the fourth time this season.
He was tidy when he came on the pitch on Sunday and Szoboszlai would likely be his partner in midfield if Gravenberch is not passed fit.
Jones would need to stay disciplined to help the defence but with Alexis Mac Allister another player off the boil, his selection is a clear choice if the downward momentum is to be arrested.
Federico Chiesa
With five goal contributions in 171 minutes, we are all left asking the same question. Why isn’t Slot opting to give Chiesa more opportunities?
He evidently does not quite have Slot’s trust despite his willingness to press and make himself a nuisance to the opposition.
Others are not close to offering the same output and yet the Italian only has one start so far, against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. It’s hard to see Slot taking the plunge, but he should!
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