Arne Slot makes three changes and drops 'unprofessional' player: Liverpool's predicted XI vs Bologna
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Liverpool’s frantic schedule continues on Wednesday as the Reds face another big match in the Champions League.
With results and performances going their way at the moment, Liverpool won’t necessarily mind having to play every three or four days.
The fixture list has allowed Arne Slot and his team to build some early momentum in the season and they are heavy favourites to beat Bologna at Anfield this midweek.
Nevertheless, the Reds looked a little undercooked at Wolves on Saturday and the Liverpool head coach may have a mind to make one or two changes to ensure a vital win in the Champions League.
With not long before another turnaround at Crystal Palace on Saturday, here’s how we think Liverpool will line-up to face another team from Serie A.
Defence
Liverpool were boosted on Saturday by the return of Alisson Becker after two games out. And although he wasn’t able to keep a clean sheet, Alisson will surely go again in the Champions League.
Slot went strong in the competition last time out against Milan, and while this is an easier game on paper, we think he’ll do so again.
That should lead to Trent Alexander-Arnold continuing at right-back, with the in-form Ibrahima Konate partnering Virgil van Dijk once again.
We do think there will be a change at left-back, though. Slot has so far been keen to rest Andy Robertson where possible and we think he’ll do the same again here, with Kostas Tsimikas an able deputy more often than not.
Midfield
Liverpool’s midfield has been heartily praised throughout the season so far. That continued to a lesser degree against Wolves, with Ryan Gravenberch picking up another man of the match award.
READ MORE: Sky Sports reporters shares Diogo Jota injury update ahead of Liverpool vs Bologna
Gravenberch has been hailed as one of the three best midfielders in the Premier League since and will likely start against Bologna.
We also think Slot will keep Alexis Mac Allister in the side despite a slightly below-par performance against Wolves.
There may be a change in the more advanced role, though, with Curtis Jones coming in to replace Dominik Szoboszlai. Szoboszlai was blasted for being ‘unprofessional‘ by Jamie Carragher against Man United earlier this season and the Wolves game was another poor display. Jones could capitalise.
Attack
After several weeks of scoring goal after goal, Liverpool’s attack was a little subdued against Wolves. Because of that -and injuries forcing his hand – we think Slot will swap two-thirds of the forward line the same.
Darwin Nunez trained on Tuesday and will be available again following illness at the weekend. Diogo Jota played well against Wolves but the forward has picked up a knock ahead of facing Bologna. Nunez will surely get the nod
Mohamed Salah was remarkably off-colour at Molineux but still got his goal and will hope to play his way back into better form with another start against Bologna.
Finally, after being reduced to a cameo at the weekend, it seems that Cody Gakpo will begin from the left in place of Luis Diaz. Gakpo has the chance to cement his place in the team if he can put in another top showing.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Bologna: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
