Arne Slot faces Cody Gakpo decision as Liverpool dealt another midfield problem
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Ryan Gravenberch scored early on only for Enzo Fernandez to accidentally level before both sides put on a sorry spectacle.Arne Slot's side will now aim to seal their Champions League berth and a top-four finish with victory when they make the journey down the M6 to take on Aston Villa on Friday evening.And here we look ahead to the changes Reds head coach Slot could make when his team are next in action.READ MORE: Joe Gomez lifts lid on Liverpool dressing room talks and responds to boos - 'it does hurt'READ MORE: Peter Crouch makes FSG claim over Arne Slot future after Liverpool boosKonate waitSlot could be bolstered by the return of as many as three players for the trip to the Midlands which, given the paucity of options at the weekend, would be deemed most welcome.Liverpool are still waiting on Alisson Becker returning from a hamstring problem that has ruled him out for nine games, although Giorgi Mamardashvili was back on Saturday to replace third-choice Freddie Woodman between the sticks.At left-back, Milos Kerkez has once again edged ahead of Andy Robertson and will be favourite to continue.Joe Gomez is on standby to replace Ibrahima Konate at centre-back alongside captain Virgil van Dijk should the issue that forced the Frenchman off against Chelsea be diagnosed as more than just cramp. Giovanni Leoni has been out since September while youngster Mor Talla Ndiaye has made the bench the last two weeks.If Konate is fit, then Gomez becomes on option at right-back to challenge Curtis Jones, who has started there the last four games.
Jeremie Frimpong is an alternative although Slot revealed on Friday that Conor Bradley is still deep in rehabilitation.Szoboszlai switch?The midfield headache that has throbbed all season was compounded further with Florian Wirtz missing due to a stomach infection. Should he be available, the Germany international would be a strong option as the number 10 where Dominik Szoboszlai was employed against Chelsea.Szoboszlai had spent three of the previous four games as part of the double pivot, and with neither Ryan Gravenberch nor Alexis Mac Allister overly impressing at the weekend there is a possibility that, should Wirtz be fit, the Hungarian could return there.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!
All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageJones could become another option in all the midfield roles if he is released from right-back duties, but Wataru Endo hasn't joined full training yet and teenager Trey Nyoni still hasn't made a full Premier League debut. Stefan Bajcetic remains missing but James McConnell has been back training with the first team.Isak on standbyMuch will depend in attack on whether Mohamed Salah has recovered from the minor hamstring issue that has ruled him out for the last two games.If available, he will be expected to return on the right flank.