Liverpool’s clash with PSV offers Arne Slot a rare opportunity.
The Premier League leaders enter the final round of matches in the Champions League on top of the table and already have a place booked in the Last 16.
Barcelona can still surpass the Reds should they secure three points against Atalanta and Liverpool fail to beat PSV on Wednesday.
Finishing top of the table will give Liverpool an advantage in the Last 16, however, it wouldn’t be the end of the world should the Premier League leaders come second in the standings.
With Liverpool only needing a draw, the trip to the Netherlands offers Slot the chance to rest some key players, as a tough trip to Bournemouth awaits the Dutch coach’s team this weekend.
Here are three stars that Liverpool need to rest on Wednesday.
Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch has been a big boost to Liverpool’s season as nobody expected the midfielder to have the impact he would at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Danny Murphy heaped praise on Gravenberch’s Ipswich display, which provided further evidence of how Slot has turned the Dutch star’s Anfield career around.
The 22-year-old has featured in every Premier League and Champions League contest for Liverpool this season and has racked up 2574 minutes of action.
Given the intensity of his midfield role, this could have an impact on the player later in the campaign, therefore, the Netherlands international should be the first star rested for the Reds’ trip to PSV.
With Slot needing some senior players within his starting 11 to secure a draw, Alexis Mac Allister could step back into Gravenberch’s role for Wednesday night’s game.
Mohamed Salah
There is no questioning who Liverpool’s most important player this season has been with Mohamed Salah producing 23 goals and 17 assists across 32 matches in all competitions.
The Egyptian superstar is firing his team to glory but unfortunately, given his importance that does not allow Slot to rest the 32-year-old that often.
Salah’s Liverpool numbers were not easy to achieve, the player recently admitted, as a lot of work off the pitch has to be done to consistently perform at the level the winger is currently displaying.
All this adds up and given the amount of action he has had so far, his age and his importance, the Egyptian should be given the day off on Wednesday against PSV and replaced by Federico Chiesa in the Reds starting 11 as the Italian star needs minutes.
A fully fit Salah would be hugely beneficial for Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth, with a Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Tottenham also just around the corner.
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate has been playing through an injury lately as the centre-back continues to recover from a knee issue.
The PSV contest provides Slot with the perfect opportunity to rest the defender as the French star has also racked up 1770 minutes of action this season.
Konate has been brilliant for the Reds this season and is a crucial part of the Premier League leaders’ backline, especially with Joe Gomez out injured.
Jarell Quansah and Wataru Endo were used as a centre-back pairing for Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley at the start of the month, and it might be time for Slot to use it again for Liverpool’s trip to PSV on Wednesday night.
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