Arne Slot’s first few months in charge on Merseyside couldn’t have gone much better, but a considerable test of their credentials arrives this weekend as Chelsea come to town.
Both teams have benefitted from kind fixture lists to start the new season, with Liverpool topping the table heading into the weekend’s action. Chelsea are four points adrift in fourth.
The Reds are playing with the swagger of their Jurgen Klopp apex and their dominance in this fixture as of late will give Slot’s side confidence of securing a statement win at Anfield.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up against the Blues on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – It’s Kelleher time again with Alisson out injured. The Irishman has proven himself to be an able deputy between the sticks.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Talk surrounding his future has been rife as of late, but that’s not going to affect his standing in Slot’s XI. Conor Bradley shone in this fixture while Alexander-Arnold was out injured last season.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – The man mountain is back to his best and has played a key role in Liverpool’s excellent defensive record. His duel with Nicolas Jackson will be one to keep an eye on.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – The ever-present Dutchman is the stable presence at the heart of this impressive Liverpool defence.
LB: Andy Robertson – We’ve seen Robertson evolve as of late, as he’s no longer the lung-busting left-back of his apex. His likely opponent, Noni Madueke, heads into Sunday’s game in good form.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Gravenberch has always had the talent, now we’re seeing him thrive at the highest level. The Dutchman’s evolution means Liverpool supporters are no longer teary-eyed over Martin Zubimendi’s summer rejection.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – The Argentine has been ever so efficient at the start of the new season, with Mac Allister building on a tremendous debut season on Merseyside.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Salah has had his moments in this fixture, and he’s faced up against his former club 22 times – netting seven times. The Egyptian remains inevitable down Liverpool’s right despite the change of manager.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – The Hungarian’s running power has been crucial to his success at the start of 2024/25, with Szoboszlai having plenty of freedom to crash the opposition’s box and work from between the lines.
LW: Luis Diaz – The Colombian may be a bit weary having travelled to and from South America over the break, but Diaz has been superb this season and Slot won’t want to drop him.
ST: Diogo Jota – Slot has options in Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, but he’ll likely stick with Jota as his leading man against a Chelsea backline without a couple of its starters.
