Let’s simply put it behind us now, we could? Sure, Liverpool misplaced at house in opposition to Nottingham Forest, and sure, it was an insipid and disjointed show that was a far cry from the slick and trendy soccer that has been on present all through the primary month of Arne Slot‘s reign.

However Slot’s Liverpool will not be inbuilt a day. It is going to take time to get issues up and operating on the stage he needs. We would do nicely to keep in mind that. The Dutchman may need inherited an elite-class squad however Liverpool weren’t precisely with out their flaws final season, had been they?

Anyway, transferring ahead. AC Milan current the Premier League aspect with fairly the strict take a look at to begin their Champions League marketing campaign, with Europe’s elite membership competitors’s opening section now restructured in a barely convoluted league format earlier than returning to the acquainted territory of the knockout run.

Liverpool missed out on high 4 the season earlier than final and might be determined to begin with conviction, but it surely will not be straightforward, with the Serie A aspect blowing Venezia away on the weekend.

Having scarcely made adjustments as Liverpool boss to date, you’d assume that Slot would shuffle his pack now, with the video games coming thick and quick, and we reckon that 4 adjustments may very well be made…

1

GK – Alisson

The massive Brazilian’s web was breached for the primary time on Saturday, however he stored clear sheets throughout every of Liverpool’s three opening fixtures and has a save proportion of 90% to date this season, as per Sofascore.

Alisson loves a Champions League evening (particularly in opposition to Italian opposition) and can most likely must pop up with an enormous save in some unspecified time in the future.

2

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s unsure future rumbles on and it is beginning to get a bit worrying. He has to signal the contract. Liverpool’s homegrown celebrity is simply so good, with a celestial vary of passing and an influential aura that lifts his teammates.

Milan’s high-pressing surges may topple in opposition to the defence-splitting brilliance of this man.

3

CB – Jarell Quansah

Jarell Quansah has not performed for Liverpool since being hooked at halftime on the opening day of the season, with Slot pissed off by Liverpool’s lack of management and duel success at Portman Highway.

The titan remains to be one of the thrilling younger defenders round and can certainly earn a pleasant string of minutes given Liverpool’s congested run of upcoming fixtures. It will be a tricky one however he has the mettle to cross the San Siro take a look at.

4

CB – Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk was not a cheerful man after Liverpool’s shock defeat. The captain and colossus condemned the “unacceptable” efficiency however urged calmness and rallied his troops.

He is one of the aerially dominant defenders of all time and might be essential in opposition to Milan’s excessive press, although his surgical passing may very well be key to unlocking the hosts’ stretched traces when on the cost.

5

LB – Andy Robertson

Candidly, there was a scarcity of synergy down Liverpool’s left flank on Saturday. Andy Robertson was bruised by Ryan Yates and didn’t win a single duel and even try a dribble, as per Sofascore. So not his most interesting hour.

He ought to begin once more although. Robertson has made 51 appearances within the Champions League, and his skilled head (and toes) will bear dividends… we hope.

6

CM – Ryan Gravenberch

One of many higher performers final day out. If Liverpool held a most improved award after one month of a marketing campaign, Ryan Gravenberch would take the cake greedily.

Slot recognised Gravenberch’s potential in a deep-lying midfield place and he’s thriving. Lengthy might it proceed. His press resistance and technical high quality may very well be essential in profitable the central battle in opposition to Tuesday’s hosts.

7

CM – Curtis Jones

Alexis Mac Allister may do with a relaxation, and Curtis Jones may do with a begin. Forest’s victory signifies that the approaching weekend’s conflict in opposition to Bournemouth stretches to a brand new realm of paramount significance, and the Argentine will have to be in high situation.

Jones has the talents to harm Milan too, you recognize. As per FBref, he really ranks among the many high 6% of midfielders throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for cross completion, the highest 10% for progressive carries and the highest 75 for profitable take-ons per 90. Time to unleash.

8

RW – Federico Chiesa

The controversial one. Federico Chiesa is in line to make his debut for Liverpool after signing from Juventus in a deal price £12.5m this summer time, and he may change Mohamed Salah.

Salah was fairly flat in opposition to Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect and Slot would possibly need to make this alteration with the upcoming fixture checklist in thoughts. Chiesa, furthermore, will know AC Milan higher than anybody else in Liverpool’s squad and may very well be a wildcard price slapping on the desk.

It will be a daring name, however Slot has already proven his ruthlessness ( you, Quansah), and Salah is likely to be the higher for it, rested and thus restive forward of the weekend’s Premier League conflict.

9

AM – Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai flattered to deceive final time however he is loved a largely profitable begin to the Slot period. Wastefulness in entrance of aim apart, he is extremely efficient, with power and pushed performances that allow the success of these round him, reminiscent of…

10

LW – Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz. The Colombian tore Manchester United to shreds two weeks in the past however seemed a shell of himself in opposition to Forest (annoying pattern right here, is not there).

He is as tenacious as he’s tireless – and he may run for days. Nevertheless, he solely received two out of seven duels and misplaced all three dribbles, so will now want to boost his recreation as soon as once more.

11

CF – Cody Gakpo

Time to place Diogo Jota on the bench. Candidly, the Portugal worldwide has been a bit under par throughout his previous couple of outings, and whereas Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez had been uninspiring in opposition to the Tough Timber, off the bench, neither has began a recreation in 2024/25 for Liverpool.

Slot will most likely go for Gakpo, who ebbs and flows in Liverpool purple however has really scored 23 objectives and claimed 9 assists throughout simply 43 beginning roles.

Hailed for his “particular ability set” by Klopp’s former assistant supervisor Pep Lijnders, he must now show himself, lest he find yourself spending one other season in a utility function.

Predicted Liverpool line-up in full: (GK) Alisson; (RB) Trent Alexander-Arnold, (CB) Jarell Quansah, (CB) Virgil Van Dijk, (LB) Andy Robertson; (CM) Ryan Gravenberch, (CM) Curtis Jones; (RW) Federico Chiesa, (AM) Dominik Szoboszlai, (LW) Luis Diaz; (CF) Cody Gakpo.