Liverpool’s hard-fought point away at Arsenal on Sunday signified Arne Slot’s solidity and reliability.
Despite the Reds being second-best for most of the game, Slot’s men demonstrated resilience to muster a draw at one of the hardest grounds in the Premier League.
Fans will be incredibly happy and are expecting good things to follow.
Attention now turns back to the Carabao Cup where Liverpool travel down to the South Coast to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round.
After dispatching West Ham comfortably in the third round, the team will be hoping for more of the same when they lock horns with the Seagulls.
However, following today’s most recent injury update, we could see an incredibly different-looking Liverpool side tomorrow night.
Slot’s squad depleted
Liverpool manager Arne Slot today confirmed in the pre-match press conference that several key first-team members would be set for an extended period of time on the sideline.
This includes Diogo Jota, Alisson, Federico Chiesa, and Harvey Elliott.
The Reds coach issued a damning statement regarding Jota and Elliott stating that they would be out until after the next international break in November.
This is a colossal blow for Liverpool due to the increase in fixtures and the importance of squad depth needed for them.
As a result, it seems likely that Darwin Nunez, following his solid performance against Arsenal, will lead the line once again.
Chiesa worries and Endo praise
Chiesa’s absence is now also becoming a concern. After mysteriously being reported injured, there has been little update on his return with Slot commenting, “sometimes he’s there with us and training for a few days and then he goes out for an injury again.”
A game like this would have been perfect for the Italian to show his talent off, but it seems he has been hit with the ‘Thiago curse’.
Moreover, Conor Bradley is currently training with the squad and will look to make a start at the Amex too following his absence at the weekend.
Slot also praised the performance of Wataru Endo in the last round of the cup and backs him to start tomorrow.
“I really liked him against West Ham and what I respect about him is his personality.”
“So, I think also for that reason, he deserves to play tomorrow.”
Endo has been so reliable for the Reds when he is needed, stepping up and always producing high quality performances.
Jaros set for first start?
Another major change that could be set to happen concerns the goalkeepers, with Vitezslav Jaros potentially making his first start ever for the senior squad.
Jaros came on as a substitute against Crystal Palace in the Premier League earlier in the month after Alisson suffered an injury and Caoimhin Kelleher was ill on the day. The Czech Republic international was solid and ended up keeping a clean sheet on his debut.
Why does Vitezslav Jaros sound like a ‘wool’? And what does his Liverpool future look like? A piece on the talented young goalkeeper who is in contention to face Brighton tomorrow.https://t.co/VO1dVlj7Gd
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) October 29, 2024
As well as this, we could also likely see the returns of players like Jarell Quansah who has been lacking minutes this season.
With all of this in mind, we can expect a very shifted starting eleven with fresh faces entering the fray.
Lets hope the Reds don’t get spooked on Halloween eve.
