Slot must hand “special” Liverpool star rare start

When Liverpool beat West Ham United, responding after dropping towards Fulham one week earlier, it felt like a nook had been turned. Maybe that defeat at Craven Cottage was the ultimate twist within the overtures of a sure Premier League triumph.

The ribbons will flip crimson this season. Later this afternoon, Liverpool have the possibility to win the top-flight title towards Leicester Metropolis on the King Energy Stadium, ought to they return to successful methods on the street and second-placed Arsenal fall at Ipswich City earlier within the day.

Although Mikel Arteta’s consideration is nearly solely centered on the continental stage, this feels unbelievable, if not out of the query. In any case, it is a matter of when, not if, Arne Slot will be part of an unique checklist of managers to elevate the Premier League trophy on their first try.

Leicester is perhaps doomed however they nonetheless have high quality in assault and can look to capitalise on any Liverpool complacency.

Liverpool crew information

Trent Alexander-Arnold is again in first-team coaching after his ankle harm suffered towards Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield final month.

Nonetheless, Conor Bradley seems to be set to reprise his function at right-back, with the under-fire Andy Robertson pushing for a recall after his cameo final week, skewing into his personal web off the bench following a mix-up with the skipper.

Joe Gomez stays absent resulting from an ankle harm, however Darwin Nunez might characteristic after lacking out on Merseyside one week in the past.

Nunez is perhaps destined for departure this summer season, however his return does increase a Liverpool frontline seeking to return to its finest.

That is to not say the Reds have been poor in assault recently, however Mohamed Salah hasn’t scored in 5 video games, Diogo Jota and Nunez are out of types and Cody Gakpo hasn’t bought going once more since recovering from harm.

How Slot can respark Liverpool’s frontline

Liverpool seemed considerably again to regular final weekend as they secured victory over West Ham, all however sealing the already overwhelming odds within the title race following Arsenal’s draw at Brentford.

Salah, after renewing his contract, produced a shocking trivela help for Luis Diaz, the one man in Slot’s assault who may be very a lot on kind proper now.

Nonetheless, the Egyptian, 32, will likely be determined to return his title to the scoresheet as he seems to be to construct on his haul of 32 objectives throughout all competitions

For no matter motive, it isn’t fairly clicking for Salah in entrance of purpose. However it should once more. With Trent not match sufficient to begin from the outset, Slot is perhaps inclined to unleash Harvey Elliott in midfield, maybe changing Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool benefit from the Hungarian’s tireless operating however a extra mounted inventive level could possibly be the right solvent of unfluent play in and across the last third.

Having featured prominently below Jurgen Klopp final 12 months throughout Liverpool’s injury-hit spell, Elliott has performed a lowered half for the reason that spinning of the managerial wheel, but to even begin within the Premier League this 12 months. Nonetheless he is bought six purpose involvements throughout the totally different competitions.

And it isn’t as if he hasn’t demonstrated his capacities when given a shot. As per FBref, Elliott ranks among the many high 1% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for all of objectives, assists and shot-creating actions, the highest 3% for progressive passes and the highest 5% for progressive carries per 90.

This completely illustrates his ball-playing sport and talent in driving into harmful positions, however most significantly, it underlines his capacity to maximise his output when reaching such junctures, one thing Salah will likely be eyeing hungrily.

As you’ll be able to see, Elliott’s taking part in a bit half for the primary time since his debut marketing campaign, having solely featured six instances in 2021/22 however beginning on 4 of these events earlier than struggling a season-ending harm at Elland Street.

Elliott, described as a “particular expertise” by Sky Sports activities’ Neil Mellor, hasn’t performed all that a lot this season, however he has showcased his huge playmaking abilities on quite a few events. For instance, Liverpool might need been abject of their Carabao Cup last defeat towards Newcastle United, however subs mixed to attain a late comfort, the younger midfielder expertly taking part in Federico Chiesa by.

In the end, claiming that Liverpool are out of types merely is not true, having received 5 of their previous six Premier League matches, however followers have been annoyed by the shortage of spark within the centre at instances this time period and Elliott certainly deserves a beginning berth having been restricted to full appearances within the cup competitions.

He is come up trumps on a number of events, notably scoring the winner within the first leg towards PSG, however now the £40k-per-week expertise wants an opportunity to indicate he can pull strings within the Premier League and convey Salah again into goalscoring kind.

Salah does not dribble as a lot as he used to however he is hardly averse to an electrical burst, and with Elliott’s crisp timing, it could possibly be the right tonic for his latest struggles to interrupt the web.

Elliott has acknowledged Salah for “instructing him” over the previous a number of years at Liverpool, and now he has the possibility to repay his tutor on what could possibly be a momentous day for the Merseysiders.

Leicester will not wish to repeat a few of their dismal shows of late, but when Elliott will get right into a inventive move and connects with Salah, the Foxes merely will not have a say within the matter.