The first international pause of the 2024/25 campaign has worked its injury-hitting magic on Liverpool's squad, who welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield in the Premier League as they look to keep pace with imperious Manchester City, with Saturday's opponents yet to lose in the top flight (one win, two draws).
Alexis Mac Allister in action for Liverpool
Alexis Mac Allister's precautionary withdrawal from Argentina's starting lineup against Chile earlier this week shouldn't spell doom for the influential midfielder, but Harvey Elliott is sentenced to six weeks on the sidelines after fracturing his foot.
Federico Chiesa will certainly have an itch: he'll hope to make his first appearance since signing from Juventus in a deal worth £12.5m in the summer, but it's unlikely that Slot will throw him straight into the starting line-up.
Liverpool: Upcoming Fixtures
Date
Opponent
Competition
14/09/24
Nott'm Forest (H)
Premier League
17/09/24
AC Milan (A)
Champions League
21/09/24
Bournemouth (H)
Premier League
25/09/24
West Ham (H)
Carabao Cup
28/09/24
Wolves (A)
Premier League
The Dutch tactician could make three changes though, with the action coming thick and fast over the coming weeks. Here's what we think...
1
GK - Alisson Becker
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Alisson starts. Liverpool's steely shot-stopper recently revealed that he rejected interest from the Saudi Pro League this summer and looks forward to challenging for more success at the club.
He's one of the best in the business, if not the best, and he's kept three clean sheets from three matches this year. It took him ten games to achieve that last term.
2
RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Man United
The English national team appears to be waking up, finally, and recognising the talent of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is more than capable of performing at right-back, since he is arguably the best right-back in the world.
He's been excellent to start the season off, displaying prodigious passing and unmatched influence. But wait, what's this? Alexander-Arnold has also won 60% of his ground duels this season, as per Sofascore - perhaps he's actually alright, Liverpool's vice-captain.
3
CB - Jarell Quansah
harvey-elliott-jarell-quansah-liverpool-opinion
Jarell Quansah has been sat on the bench since he was hooked at half-time against Ipswich Town on the opening day. The newly-promoted side attempts to put the Reds to the sword on the opening day and Slot felt change was necessary. He was right, for Liverpool won 2-0.
Ibrahima Konate will step back for this one though, with AC Milan looming on Tuesday night. Quansah, hailed as an "absolute monster" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, will be more than up to the task.
4
CB - Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool's captain still start, and barring anything dreadful, will continue to do so throughout the club's upcoming glut of games.
Virgil van Dijk is the best, and his aerial dominance will be vital against a meaty Nottingham Forest outfit.
5
LB - Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson and Arne Slot
Andy Robertson did have his detractors last season but he was struggling to shake a shoulder injury that ruled him out through the later months of 2023.
The Scotland captain has started well this term and ranks among the top 1% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions (5.11), the top 2% for passes attempted (85.75) and the top 3% for progressive passes (7.06) per 90, as per FBref, so he's well suited to Slot's style.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.
6
CM - Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch in action for Liverpool
Liverpool did get themselves a new number six this summer, actually, and his name is Ryan Gravenberch. The Netherlands international has been a revelation in the deep-lying role, so press-resistant and sharp.
Ryan-Gravenberch-Man-Utd-vs-Liverpool
He blew Old Trafford away, silenced the devils. Gravenberch, 22, has long been recognised as a player with the trappings of elite-level quality, but he lacked discipline, roundedness. He's batting away his detractors and will reprise his anchoring role against Forest.
7
CM - Curtis Jones
Liverpool player Curtis Jones.
Curtis Jones hasn't featured yet under Slot's wing, though he did play a prominent role throughout pre-season. The Scouser is criminally underrated and boasts one of Liverpool's finest passing games, an adept retentor.
He'll step in for Mac Allister, who must be handled with care after his knock, lest Liverpool lose another star for a gruelling period of unceasing action.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Forest
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