Liverpool’s predicted XI vs PSV as Arne Slot changes whole midfield and exciting Federico Chiesa decision made

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Liverpool sign off from the League Phase of the Champions League looking for an eighth successive win in the competition.

The Reds have been perfect in Europe under Arne Slot, brushing aside every team to challenge them this season.

With a place in the last-16 – and the top two of the Champions League table – already secured, Slot takes Liverpool to his homeland to face PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.

Another big test lies in wait on Saturday, as the Reds head to Bournemouth in the Premier League. And with more than half an eye on the trip to the south coast, here’s the XI we expect Slot to pick in Eindhoven.

Defence

There will be a debate about who Slot chooses to play in net on Wednesday. Alisson Becker is the usual Champions League goalkeeper, but perhaps the Liverpool head coach will take the chance to stick Caoimhin Kelleher in?

We don’t think he will, with Alisson joining Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to give a familiar feel to the back line.

With Ibrahima Konate one booking away from suspension – and needing to be managed fitness wise – the Frenchman is likely to make way for Jarell Quansah.

At left-back Slot is surely set to continue his one on, one off policy and start Kostas Tsimikas over Andy Robertson.

Midfield

Slot has a few more question marks than usual in his midfield. Although he’d no doubt love to play against his former Ajax rivals, this has to be a game off for Ryan Gravenberch.

Elsewhere in midfield, Alexis Mac Allister will be suspended for the last-16 if he is booked and Curtis Jones is injured.

READ MORE: Three players Arne Slot simply has to rest for Liverpool against PSV Eindhoven and who could replace them

As a result, we think Slot will opt to employ full-scale rotation in the middle of the pitch.

Wataru Endo looks nailed on to finally get his chance, while we can see Tyler Morton slotting in alongside the Japanese. Harvey Elliott should step into the more advanced role to complete the three changes.

Attack

There are also some interesting calls for Slot to make with his forward line here.

Having slowly built some fitness and bided his time, we think it’s finally the moment to give Federico Chiesa a go from the start. There’s no need for Mohamed Salah at the Philips Stadion.

Chiesa should be joined in attack by Darwin Nunez, who wasn’t given much time to build on his new-found confidence during Saturday’s win over Ipswich.

On the left it will be a shootout between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, but given Gakpo is back home to face the club he used to captain, we think it’s only right the Dutchman gets the nod.

Players often play better against former clubs and Liverpool will be hoping to tap into Gakpo’s experience of getting goals on this ground to help them sign off with an eighth win in eight and a first place finish.