Arne Slot benches 'tired' player and makes Harvey Elliott decision: Liverpool's predicted XI vs Southampton

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Liverpool return to Premier League action after the international break as they travel to St Mary’s to take on basement dwellers Southampton.

On paper, this should be a straightforward game for the Reds as the two sides are separated by 24 points in the standings, but it could be argued that the Saints don’t have the points to show for their good performances this season.

Arne Slot’s side, on the other hand, have been on a roll this season and will look to keep their lead at the top ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Anfield next weekend.

With a handful of players on the comeback trail from injuries, here’s how Liverpool could lineup against Southampton.

Defence

Slot confirmed on Friday that Alisson Becker is back in team training, but the trip to St Mary’s is set to come too quickly for the Brazilian.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is also set to miss out, so the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher and Conor Bradley are set to deputize for the pair.

Ibrahima Konate was singled out for special praise by the Liverpool head coach and captained France during the international break, which is a sign that he is growing in stature.

The Frenchman is set to start at the heart of the backline alongside Virgil van Dijk, who was rested by the Netherlands for their UEFA Nations League clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Andy Robertson should win the battle to start at left-back.

Midfield

Ryan Gravenberch has started every Premier League and UEFA Champions League game for Liverpool and will undoubtedly do so once again tomorrow.

Alexis Mac Allister impressed in a slightly advanced role for Argentina during the international break and should take his place in the team, while it remains to be seen who plays between Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Both players featured for their countries during the international break – with Jones producing a sensational performance on his England debut – but we believe Szoboszlai will get the nod for this one.

Slot confirmed that Harvey Elliott is back fully fit, but the young midfielder is unlikely to be rushed back into the game, so we believe he won’t make the matchday squad for the trip to St Mary’s.

Attack

Mohamed Salah starting games for Liverpool is a foregone conclusion when he’s fully fit and the Egyptian will be raring to go after a two-week break.

Colombian media claimed Luis Diaz looked ‘tired‘ after the game against Ecuador, while Cody Gakpo, on the other hand, was rested by the Netherlands against Bosnia.

The Dutchman looks likely to play on the left wing and with Diogo Jota still unavailable, Darwin Nunez should lead the line for Liverpool vs Southampton.

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