Liverpool are closing in on their first Premier League game of the new season.
It is always an exciting time when the opening day of the campaign comes into view, and this year is no different.
There is perhaps reduced expectation on Liverpool in 2024/25. With Jurgen Klopp replaced by Arne Slot, there is a feeling that the Reds could be in for a season of transition.
The fact that Liverpool are yet to make a signing to add to their first-team squad will underline that thought.
Nevertheless, the Reds still have plenty of talent within their ranks. And as they put in their last preparations at the AXA Training Centre for the visit to Ipswich Town, Slot has some decisions to make.
Paul Merson urges Darwin Nunez start
Judging on the two teams Slot put out at Anfield on Sunday, we can get a pretty good picture of who he is planning to start against Ipswich.
In some cases, his mind is almost made up for him. With so many players returning from their summer holidays late, it’s obvious that a few will not yet be ready to play a Premier League match.
One of those who came back last of all was Darwin Nunez. Having had a decent Copa America with Uruguay, Nunez only touched down in Liverpool 10 days ago.
As a result, the £64m striker may be a little rusty and is likely to be still getting used to what Slot wants from him.
READ MORE: Where Arne Slot is thinking about playing Darwin Nunez for Liverpool this season
Diogo Jota has had much more of a pre-season and has looked good spearheading Liverpool’s attack.
However, writing his opening weekend predictions for Sportskeeda, pundit Paul Merson thinks that although Slot is likely to start Jota, he should switch tack and chuck Nunez in instead.
“Arne Slot might pick Diogo Jota this week. Jota can drop short and link up play cleverly, and Salah is one of Liverpool’s best runners off the ball,” says Merson.
“Darwin Nunez would be better suited for this game, however, because Ipswich will sit back. Liverpool will need to get the ball into the box.”
Who should play for Liverpool vs Ipswich?
Whether to go with Nunez or Jota is not the only decision Slot will be wrestling with in the build-up to Saturday’s big game.
In our opinion, this particular discussion should be a relatively short one between the boss and his coaching staff, though.
Jota has looked really sharp in pre-season and there’s absolutely no reason for him to drop out of the side after scoring a pearler against Sevilla.
Nunez can certainly be a lively option off the bench at Portman Road, but while he continues to get up to speed under Slot we don’t see him starting.
Elsewhere, Luis Diaz’s selection in the ‘bigger’ game on Sunday – and the fact that he scored twice in it – would suggest that he will join Jota and Salah in the Liverpool attack. The wait is nearly over, come on Liverpool!
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