Liverpool welcome lowly Southampton to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Whereas the Reds will nonetheless be giddy from their unimaginable Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, Arne Slot will little question have compelled full consideration again on the Premier League – there is a 13-point title result in defend, in spite of everything.
Saints, marooned on the backside of the division, had been thrashed 4-0 at Stamford Bridge final trip and are all however condemned to an instantaneous return to the second tier.
Slot will count on a complete victory {and professional} efficiency, however with a slender 1-0 benefit over PSG, who ran roughshod over Liverpool’s seasonal popularity on the Parc des Princes (albeit with nothing to indicate for it), rotation is unquestionably a given.
Liverpool had been made to work towards Luis Enrique’s aspect, below the cosh for the overwhelming majority, so count on alterations.
Liverpool staff information
Cody Gakpo was a late exclusion on the continent, having solely simply returned from an ankle problem, and whereas there’s hope he’ll function subsequent week towards PSG, it is unlikely Slot – who serves the second and ultimate match of his touchline ban – will discipline him from the outset this weekend.
Diogo Jota fronted Liverpool’s assault in France, flanked by Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, however all three flattered to deceive and Slot might flip to off-the-bench hero Darwin Nunez, with goalscorer Harvey Elliott additionally ready within the wings for his maiden Premier League begin of the marketing campaign.
Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton all stay sidelined.
Whereas Liverpool’s gaffer has been reluctant to discipline wholesale adjustments this season, this is perhaps a chance to just do that. For instance, Ryan Gravenberch regarded leggy and disjointed in midweek, and must be benched for the primary time within the English prime flight this season.
Why Slot ought to drop Ryan Gravenberch
When Liverpool failed of their bid for Martin Zubimendi in August, supporters felt greater than a bit of hysteria after sources revealed Liverpool wouldn’t be leaping the gun and shifting for another.
To be truthful, the alarm was simply: Jurgen Klopp had gone, and with him essentially the most illustrious of eras for the Anfield aspect. However Gravenberch stepped up, with one analyst describing him as “completely world-class” in Slot’s new Liverpool system.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old’s newfound powers have come alongside newfound tasks. The Netherlands worldwide has began each single certainly one of Liverpool’s top-flight matches this 12 months, solely lacking the defeat towards PSV within the Champions League too.
Liverpool 24/25 – Most Minutes (all comps) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
# | Participant | Apps | Minutes |
1) | Virgil van Dijk | 38 | 3,417′ |
2) | Mohamed Salah | 40 | 3,396′ |
3) | Ryan Gravenberch | 38 | 3,241′ |
4) | Alexis Mac Allister | 39 | 2,879′ |
5) | Trent Alexander-Arnold | 37 | 2,707′ |
Information through Transfermarkt | |||
Is it any marvel he is starting to look sapped of his early-season vigour? At PSG, Gravenberch was culpable for a dismal efficiency, battling exhausting towards the host tidal waves however distinctly missing any management and fluidity together with his passing.
He’ll, nevertheless, be required from the outset in subsequent week’s corresponding fixture, and with that in thoughts, Slot may need to chew the bullet and take this important cog out of his machine towards Southampton.
No disrespect to the South Coast aspect, however a rotated Liverpool ought to have sufficient within the tank to beat off Ivan Juric’s males on Merseyside, and whereas Elliott could also be eyeing a begin rather than Liverpool’s quasi-ten Dominik Szoboszlai, there’s one other midfielder who might take Gravenberch’s position within the deeper fathoms of the engine room.
The right Gravenberch alternative
Alexis Mac Allister has performed quite a lot of soccer this season (see desk above) however is without doubt one of the most industrious and secure gamers in Liverpool’s first staff. He ought to begin to present a semblance of management on this likely-changed line-up.
Although he can function as a six, Mac Allister could be higher stored in his most well-liked box-to-box position, with one other man stepping in to take Gravenberch’s place.
Curtis Jones has been an everyday presence in Liverpool’s first staff since rising from the academy in 2019. He was one of many first to assist Slot after the coach arrived in the summertime, saying: ‘It is in all probability the happiest I have been by way of fashion of play.’
Slot’s genius may be discovered within the tactical nuances. Liverpool aren’t wholly completely different from the thrash-metal aspect of Klopp, however they’re extra composed, calmer and softer in phases, although devastating and electrical after they do ramp up the gasoline.
Jones’ shift completely illustrates that, for such a technical midfielder, it’s even crisper in possession and fewer energetic and erratic off the ball. His efforts this time period have additionally yielded much more fruitful ends in entrance of purpose.
Curtis Jones within the Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
Stats (per 90) | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
Targets | 0.08 | 0.24 |
Assists | 0.08 | 0.24 |
Touches | 70.57 | 61.36 |
Go completion | 91.1% | 93.4% |
Passes tried | 59.85 | 51.18 |
Progressive passes | 5.71 | 5.05 |
Shot-creating actions | 2.78 | 2.33 |
Progressive carries | 2.39 | 1.04 |
Profitable take-ons | 1.16 | 0.72 |
Ball recoveries | 5.55 | 4.41 |
Tackles | 2.08 | 2.09 |
Stats through FBref | ||
Such first-class composure and accuracy on the ball bespeaks Jones’ worth to this Liverpool staff, and although he is been fielded in superior midfield areas this time period, the overwhelming majority of his profession appearances have come from the very centre of midfield (146).
The 24-year-old’s motion and intelligence are sides typically neglected when assessing his value on the European scale. Jones has additionally gained 55% of his duels within the Premier League this time period whereas finishing a whopping 69% of his dribbles, as per Sofascore.
Gravenberch is eager on foraying ahead himself, so silky on the ball, so there’s one other factor to Jones’ sport which will show translatable when getting into his Dutch teammate’s boots. Jones has even been hailed for his “good” distribution by Liverpool content material creator Matt Addison.
Ought to Elliott additionally discover himself on the beginning teamsheet, he might do with a sturdy and dynamic anchoring level behind him to advertise his playmaking prowess. Gravenberch is that participant, however he is drained, and wishes recharging. The Carabao Cup ultimate, let’s not neglect, can be only one week away.
This safety on the ball might be precisely what Liverpool must defeat Southampton comprehensively and permit for the rotation Slot must implement forward of such a pivotal match on Tuesday night towards PSG.
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