Liverpool face Wolves on Saturday with a rested but injury-hit squad, leaving Arne Slot little flexibility when it comes to naming his starting lineup.
Liverpool’s latest injury blow was one of their most serious of the season, with Alexander Isak undergoing surgery after a leg break to leave the forward line slim of options.
Thankfully, the festive schedule has been kind to the Reds and the Premier League‘s last-placed side now make the trip to Anfield, not that Liverpool can afford to underestimate their opposition.
With injuries and absences to consider, let’s take a look at how Liverpool could line up at Anfield after six days without a game.
Liverpool team news vs. Wolves: 50-50 calls to make
- Conor Bradley and Cody Gakpo “50-50” chance of making the squad
- Dominik Szoboszlai serving one-match suspension
- Isak on long-term injury list after surgery
- Florian Wirtz fit and available
- Ibrahima Konate missed training on Tuesday, likely precaution
- Mo Salah remains unavailable due to AFCON
- Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo sidelined
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. Wolves
There is little flexibility for Slot when it comes to his XI as neither Bradley nor Gakpo are fit to play from the first whistle.
That means Jeremie Frimpong is likely to start at right-back for the first time since mid-October, while Federico Chiesa could finally benefit from the lack of forward options.
The Italian is not among Slot’s favoured players, but he could fill in on the right flank for his first league start of the season, with Szoboszlai also ruled out as he serves a one-match suspension.
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike would join him up top, sitting ahead of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister.
Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk if fit, but his absence from training on Tuesday was cause for concern, and it would leave either Andy Robertson or 19-year-old Wellity Lucky as emergency cover.
Liverpool’s bench will need to feature a few academy faces, but this is what the starting XI is likely to look like:
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Wirtz, Ekitike
There is not a lot of deviation Slot could make from the abovementioned lineup if the likes of Bradley and Gakpo are not fit to start, but he could also consider:
• Robertson starting over Milos Kerkez
• Calvin Ramsay at right-back if Frimpong is not fit to start after playing only 30 minutes on his injury return
• Rio Ngumoha offered a rare opportunity
Beyond those options, Slot would have to look at injecting youth into his side as his first-team options are restricted by injuries, suspension and an international tournament.
Liverpool, however, ought to have more than enough in their arsenal to inflict Wolves‘ 16th defeat of the season and remain in touch with the top four.
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