CONFIRMED: Liverpool XI vs Burnley
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Image Credits: Imago ImagesLiverpool return to Premier League action this Sunday with a trip to Turf Moor.
The Reds are back from the international break and ready to keep their strong start alive.
Supporters have waited all week to see how Arne Slot will shape his team after a big win over Arsenal before the break.
There is a buzz around the squad with new faces and key players back in training.
Fans also know this is not just another league game.
It is a chance to build momentum with a Champions League opener and a Merseyside derby coming next week.
There is plenty of excitement around Alexander Isak.
The £125m summer signing trained with his new team-mates for the first time this week.
Everyone wants to see him play but Slot has kept expectations calm.
He explained why Isak will not be rushed.
“Don’t expect him every single game 90 minutes on the pitch – that’s definitely not going to happen in the upcoming weeks,” Slot said.
He added more about the careful plan.
“He missed a proper pre-season, I think he missed three or four months of team sessions, so now we have to build him up gradually with us playing so many games and [having] very little training time.”
Slot was clear that this signing is for the long term.
“So, that’s going to be a challenge but we’ve signed him not only for the upcoming two weeks, we’ve signed him, I think, for six years so this is what we have to keep in mind and what the fans have to keep in mind if they see that I take him off at a certain moment or I only bring him in for a small amount of minutes.”
“That’s all for the long-term fitness of the player.”
No Alexander Isak with the Liverpool squad as they arrived at Turf Moor, underlining the manager’s patient approach.
The confirmed lineup shows how Slot has balanced excitement with caution.
Curtis Jones is out after a knock against Arsenal.
Jeremie Frimpong is back and fit enough to start at right-back.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who scored a brilliant free-kick against Arsenal, moves back into midfield?
Alexander Isak is on the bench as planned.
The Reds line up in a 4-2-3-1: Alisson; Mac Allister, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Liverpool face Burnley at 2pm BST on Sunday, September 14, aiming to keep their winning rhythm and give fans another reason to believe in a big season ahead.
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