Arne Slot faces Ibrahima Konate decision as Liverpool consider ripping up midfield

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool are next up against Chelsea in the Premier League with Arne Slot facing some selection posersLiverpool suffered back-to-back defeats for only the second time under Arne Slot when they were beaten 1-0 at Galatasaray on Tuesday evening in the Champions League. The only goal of the game came in the 16th minute when Victor Osimhen scored from the spot after referee Clement Turpin had adjudged Dominik Szoboszlai to have fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz.Arne Slot's side now face another major test of their Premier League credentials when they travel to Chelsea on Saturday evening.And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.READ MORE: Curtis Jones makes alarming admission about Liverpool's defeat to GalatasarayREAD MORE: Galatasaray boss rubs salt in Liverpool wounds after beating Reds - 'A sense of fear'Right-back poserAnother poor performance from Ibrahima Konate is prompting the very real possibility of the Frenchman being benched with Joe Gomez instead coming in at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk at Stamford Bridge.With Giovanni Leoni out for the season, the only other player who could realistically start in the role is Wataru Endo, although Ryan Gravenberch has had spells in the position already this campaign.Dominik Szoboszlai was again at right-back in Galatasaray with Jeremie Frimpong pushed up into midfield and Conor Bradley benched.

All three will come under consideration in the position with Slot still not having settled on a preferred choice.Milos Kerkez was among a number of Liverpool players to be below par and is under pressure from Andy Robertson at left-back.And with Alisson Becker injured for the foreseeable, Giorgi Mamardashvili is now the first-choice goalkeeper with Freddie Woodman his understudy.Jones to stay?The midfield continues to be a cause for concern for Slot having misfired again in Istanbul. The only consistent presence has been Gravenberch, and he will be expected to start against Chelsea.Liverpool otherwise have options.

Alexis Mac Allister's underwhelming cameo at Galatasaray highlighted he remains some way short of full fitness, and Curtis Jones could be favourite to continue after a decent showing in Istanbul.Szoboszlai and Endo are alternatives, while 18-year-old Trey Nyoni is still to make his Premier League debut.In the number 10 position, Florian Wirtz continues to adapt to his new surrounds, with Szoboszlai the most obvious other option although Jones can also play in the role.Ekitike blowThe injury that is likely to sideline Hugo Ekitike means Alexander Isak is almost certain to lead the line against Chelsea, especially with Federico Chiesa having been absent in Turkey.Mohamed Salah will be expected to replace Frimpong on the right flank, while the only competition for Cody Gakpo on the left at present is teenager Rio Ngumoha. Jayden Danns suffered a hamstring injury with the under-21s last weekend and remains out.