Liverpool’s game against Arsenal on Sunday will be a good barometer of the Reds’ title credentials.
It has so far been smooth sailing for Liverpool during the early part of the Premier League season.
One loss against Nottingham Forest is the only blot on the copybook of Arne Slot as he settles in to life at Anfield.
But a trip to the Emirates is a different kettle of fish these days and Liverpool will have to be at their best to continue their stunning form.
The Gunners have several availability issues to contend with, though, and as a result the Reds may have a bit of a chance to hammer home an advantage.
Liverpool can point to one or two injury issues themselves, however, and Slot is going to have to think long and hard about his line-up. Here’s what we think he’ll go for.
Defence
Caoimhin Kelleher was brilliant in midweek against RB Leipzig and it is no longer a worry to see the Irishman on a Liverpool teamsheet. He’ll go again on Sunday.
In front of Kelleher it is unlikely that, barring any last-minute fitness problems, Slot will change much at all.
That should see Trent Alexander-Arnold begin at right-back, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk beside him in the middle.
The first change is surely set to come at left-back, though, as Slot brings Andy Robertson back in place of Kostas Tsimikas.
Tsimikas was labelled ‘brilliant’ by Michael Owen recently and was also the official man of the match during Wednesday’s win at RB Leipzig. But Robertson is still the first-choice and will come in again.
READ MORE: Graeme Souness explains how Liverpool can play to be a ‘real threat’ against Arsenal
Midfield
It was a slight surprise to see Slot drop Curtis Jones out of the Liverpool midfield against Leipzig.
Alan Shearer has urged Slot to put Jones back in for the trip to Arsenal but we actually think that the Liverpool head coach will not.
Instead, we anticipate that Slot will keep the same three who did start in Leipzig and the same three he has clearly marked as his go-to trio: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Attack
With most of Arsenal’s availability troubles being in the defence, who plays in Liverpool’s attack could be absolutely key on Sunday.
Obviously, Mohamed Salah is the clear pick. Salah was upset at being taken off against Leipzig but that should mean he’s fresh to torment whoever starts at left-back for the Gunners.
Darwin Nunez is also fairly certain to start after the news this week that Diogo Jota will not be fit enough to play. Nunez can begin to turn his season around with a good performance at the Emirates.
On the left is where we think Slot will make another change. After seeing Cody Gakpo post up two non-goal contributing starts in a week, we’re backing the Dutchman to bring back Luis Diaz.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Arsenal: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
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