Arne Slot contemplates major Mohamed Salah decision as Liverpool injury update expected
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCA closer look at how Liverpool could line up when they are entertained by Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on WednesdayThe return of the Champions League saw Arne Slot ring the Liverpool changes when they were entertained by Galatasaray last month. Out came Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister as the Reds were beaten 1-0 in Istanbul.But having lost four games in a row now - and with an unwanted record from the 1950s in sight with a fifth successive reverse - does Slot chop and change in the hope of finding a winning formula against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night?Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal but the identity of the full-backs in front of him remains something of a mystery.
Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are vying for the spot at right-back, but might this be a good time to bring Milos Kerkez out the firing line in favour of the more experienced Andy Robertson?READ MORE: Kenny Dalglish and Alex Ferguson bond as Liverpool man takes out Man United anger on Anfield turfREAD MORE: Virgil van Dijk makes new Liverpool pledge as Man United push Reds towards unwanted recordKerkez endured a tough time against United and Scotland captain Robertson is likely champing at the bit to start this one as the Reds aim to get back to winning ways in the revamped European Cup. Ibrahima Konate is almost certain to continue partnering Virgil van Dijk in the centre, with Joe Gomez available, if needed.Ryan Gravenberch was assessed on Monday after a twisted ankle in Sunday's defeat and Slot will be able to offer an update on that when he speaks to the media at Deutsche Bank Park on Tuesday night.If there are any injury concerns over the Netherlands midfielder, however, Curtis Jones is waiting in the wings for a recall.Alexis Mac Allister's head injury required four stitches and while he played with the aid of a head guard against United, the Argentina midfielder has yet to hit the heights of last season and this feels like a good chance to rest him.Dominik Szoboszlai will be expected to start the game given the question marks over Mac Allister's head and Gravenberch's ankle.Florian Wirtz was bright and inventive against United off the bench and had a big hand in the equaliser on the day by keeping the ball alive before supplying Federico Chiesa to assist Cody Gakpo.The Germany international is the current Bundesliga player of the year, so this feels like an opportunity to let him try and wreak havoc in his homeland.The major question is what to do over Mohamed Salah?
Chiesa was all energy against United and having been recalled to the squad at the expense of his injured compatriot Giovanni Leoni, this could be his night.Italian forward Chiesa has only started once this term but he is knocking on the door for this one.Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike are all vying for a place in the frontline. Ekitike was bright and full of purpose in his second-half cameo, while Gakpo has scored the Reds' last two goals and could have had a hat-trick on another day against United.Meanwhile Isak needs the minutes as he aims to get back to the sort of level that made him a British-record transfer at £125m.Striking the right balance up front for this one is imperative and could involve a rare rest for Salah.Liverpool sale knocks 50% off kit and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.