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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot reacts at the end of the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16 2025(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Liverpool suffered a dismal weekend when they were beaten by Newcastle United in the League Cup final on Sunday.

Substitute Federico Chiesa's late strike was mere consolation as the Reds went down 2-1 after posting a dreadful display.

Liverpool now have a very long wait for their next game against Everton on April 2, with the international break followed by the FA Cup quarter-final weekend with Arne Slot's side already out of the competition.



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And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.

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Quansah ready

The lack of regular rotation has finally caught up with Liverpool.

However, the next match is the last the Reds will play in midweek this season, while the main concern will be over whether players return back fit from international duty.

There is, though, the possibility Caoimhin Kelleher may have played his last game for the club given the expected reshuffle of the goalkeeping department this summer prompted by the imminent arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, and the fact Alisson Becker will be first-choice for the remaining Premier League fixtures.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez aren't unlikely to be available following injury.

At left-back, Andy Robertson is very much ahead of Kostas Tsimikas in the pecking order.

Midfield change?

The midfield struggled against Newcastle and, after a heavy workload, are ripe for rotation.

Ryan Gravenberch in particular has been a mainstay and may now benefit from minutes being managed during the run-in, as has already been happening to Alexis Mac Allister.

Jones, Endo and the relentless Dominik Szoboszlai are all alternatives in the two deeper positions, while Jones and Harvey Elliott, impressive from the bench at Wembley, can challenge the Hungarian in the number 10 role.

Tyler Morton remains out with a shoulder problem while youngsters James McConnell and Trey Nyoni haven't started a Premier League game this season.

Number nine conundrum

The Reds' long-known shortcomings in the central striking area also came home to roost on Sunday.

Neither Diogo Jota nor later Darwin Nunez made much impact, while Luis Diaz was needed on the left flank.

Chiesa's well-taken goal, though, was a reminder of his threat and strengthened his claim for a first Premier League start, although that is unlikely to come on the right despite a dip in form for Mohamed Salah.

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Slot will hope Cody Gakpo benefits from another fortnight regaining his fitness to challenge for a place on the left, which would open up the possibility of Diaz returning to a central position.


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