Arne Slot could nullify Newcastle's midfield threat by making surprise line-up decision on Monday - opinion
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Liverpool are aiming for back-to-back wins to start the Premier League season as they face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Monday.
The Reds against the Magpies is one of the division’s iconic fixtures, with so many memorable clashes taking place in the past.
This one should be no different, with Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak causing extra tension between the two teams.
While Liverpool should still be confident of picking up the points, they’ll have to be better than they were against Bournemouth on opening day.
Arne Slot‘s preparations have not been helped by the fact that Jeremie Frimpong will miss the game – and the rest of August – with a hamstring problem.
With Conor Bradley also unlikely to be ready and Joe Gomez potentially not fully fit either, Slot has a big decision to make about who to play on the right side of his defence.
But, given the special circumstances around this fixture, we think it calls for a bold switch for Dominik Szoboszlai.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
In ordinary circumstances, there is little chance Slot would use Szoboszlai at right-back.
The Hungarian is much more effective further up the pitch.
Nevertheless, Slot did try Szoboszlai at full-back during pre-season and mentioned him again when assessing his options during his pre-match press conference.
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With other more natural players struggling, Newcastle away is arguably the one game where Szoboszlai is the right choice.
When Liverpool lost the Carabao Cup final to Eddie Howe’s team in March, a big part of the problem was that the Reds were beaten far too easily in midfield.
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Howe’s trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton is one of the most impressive and combative in the league.
Together they are arguably Newcastle’s biggest strength and if Liverpool are not at it, they may be found wanting.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister can go toe-to-toe with any midfield in world football, but with Florian Wirtz likely to play in a much more advanced role in front of them, it could leave Liverpool short in the middle.
If Szoboszlai plays at right-back, the 24-year-old will be able to drift infield as an inverted full-back, giving Liverpool an extra body in possession.
Gomez will not give them this, and if the England man is still not ready, Szoboszlai looks like the best option.
Assuming Bradley and Gomez are not ready to start, there is a concrete chance Szoboszlai plays on Monday.
Wataru Endo was Slot’s choice to come in for Frimpong against Bournemouth, but the Japan captain struggled up against the Cherries’ attack and could be a liability at St James’.
Curtis Jones has also been used at full-back by Slot, and could provide similar positives to Szoboszlai in doing so.
But the Hungary skipper is a more robust, sturdier player than the Scouser and his inclusion would give Liverpool more solidity.
We do not expect to see this very often this season, if at all.
But Slot has shown he is willing to use Szoboszlai out of position.