Liverpool hope to continue their winning start to the Premier League season when they’re visited by title rivals Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds have been far from flawless in chaotic victories over Bournemouth and Newcastle United, with worrying lapses in concentration almost proving costly. Liverpool have surrendered two-goal leads in both matches, relying on dramatic late goals to come away with all three points.
Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha have been surprise saviours from the bench in the opening two matches but neither will feature in Arne Slot’s lineup against last season’s runners-up Arsenal. The Dutch manager is unlikely to make many alterations from the team that triumphed at St James’ Park but he will expect a much more convincing display given the calibre of opposition this weekend.
Here is how the Reds could line up at Anfield for an almighty test.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
GK: Alisson—Alisson has been blameless in Liverpool’s disappointing defensive performances and will demand improvements from those in front of him against an Arsenal side who just fired five past Leeds United.
RB: Conor Bradley—Dominik Szoboszlai did an excellent job at right back against Newcastle but Bradley, who featured from the bench against the Magpies, has been passed fit enough to start against Arsenal. He should feature with Jeremie Frimpong injured.
CB: Ibrahima Konaté—Some alarming performances from Konaté against Bournemouth and Newcastle will have Liverpool supporters concerned—and even more eager for the Marc Guéhi deal to be finalised.
CB: Virgil van Dijk—Van Dijk produced an epic performance against Newcastle and led the match with 14 defensive contributions. He will be offered a tough test by Viktor Gyökeres on Sunday, with the Swede scoring twice last weekend.
LB: Milos Kerkez—The ex-Bournemouth defender has struggled at the beginning of his Liverpool career but will be relieved to hear of Bukayo Saka’s absence for Sunday. Still, he’s likely to be challenged by the tricky Noni Madueke.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch—Gravenberch didn’t score for the Reds last season but opened his account for this term against Newcastle with an excellent strike. He could be tasked with thwarting debutant Eberechi Eze on Sunday, with captain Martin Ødegaard a fitness doubt.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister—Slot has confirmed that Mac Allister is available once more after he missed the duel with Newcastle through injury. He was a sizeable miss in midfield given he’s Liverpool’s tempo-setter.
RW: Mohamed Salah—Salah has 15 goal contributions in 18 past meetings with Arsenal, including a rare goal in Chelsea colours. He’s not been at his electrifying best yet this term but he’s still been instrumental in the final third.
AM: Florian Wirtz—Perhaps Sunday’s fixture can be Wirtz’s breakout display after a tame start to his Liverpool career. The Reds broke their transfer record for the German in the hope he would prove decisive in such important fixtures.
LW: Cody Gakpo—Ngumoha is the future but Gakpo is the present down Liverpool’s left-hand side. He’s managed a goal and two assists in the Premier League already and is thriving without competition from Luis Díaz.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal: Mac Allister, Bradley Return in Early Title Fight.
