Arne Slot hands out two debuts and gives chance to 'struggling' star: Liverpool's predicted XI vs Southampton
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Liverpool kick-start their EFL Cup campaign with a home game against Championship side Southampton.
For the second year running, the Reds take on the Saints in the Carabao Cup, with Arne Slot expected to heavily rotate his side.
Liverpool are having to play six games in September, with this one being the fourth, meaning that fatigue could play a factor.
Now is when squad depth is really tested and can be used to good effect, with Slot having the luxury to do just that against Southampton.
The Dutchman is expected to give two players their official debuts, while also making a few big calls towards the top of the pitch.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Liverpool’s defence has looked a little better in recent weeks, although the main core of it is expected to be given the night off for this one.
Alisson Becker will be replaced with Giorgi Mamardashvili for his official debut, while both centre-backs will also change, with Giovanni Leoni being the second debutant, while Joe Gomez also gets his first start of the season.
Despite an impressive performance against Everton, Milos Kerkez will likely drop to the bench for the experienced Andy Robertson, while Jeremie Frimpong might just get the nod over Conor Bradley for this one.
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Most of the absentees will likely be on the bench just in case, although Slot has already confirmed that both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will not be in the matchday squad at all due to the amount of minutes they have already played.
The middle of the park will also see a big shake-up, with both Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai another two who Slot said would be given the night off.
With that said, although Trey Nyoni is set to be part of the team for this game, it will likely be Wataru Endo who starts as the holding midfielder.
The Japanese international has been as patient and professional as ever, meaning he has more than earned his chance to start.
Just in front of him will likely be Curtis Jones as he steps up his recovery after an injury that kept him out for a few weeks.
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The scouser came on in the Merseyside derby and impressed, but he might be swapped out at around the hour mark to give Alexis Mac Allister some valuable minutes.
One of the biggest calls that Slot will likely make is to start Florian Wirtz in the number 10 role, with the German needing game time after ‘struggling’ so far this season.
This could be a game where he really kick-starts his Liverpool career, with it likely being one of his best chances to create a goal or even score one himself.
The forward line is perhaps a little more self-explanatory and there are three obvious players who are in need of some minutes under their belt.
On the left will surely be Rio Ngumoha after impressing when getting the chance this season, with this the 17-year-old’s opportunity to show it from the start.
On the right, Mohamed Salah will not be present due to also being given the night off, suggesting this might be Federico Chiesa’s very rare chance to start.
The Italian needs to start if he is to salvage what is left of his Liverpool career, with anything other than that being a pretty telling sign as to where his future lies.
The striker could be one of a few, but with Alexander Isak needing to get up to full fitness as quickly as possible, it will likely be the Swede who leads the line.
Hugo Ekitike and Jayden Danns are also viable options, but one of these will likely come on anyway at around the hour mark.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Southampton