Starting XI Prediction: Liverpool Travel to Wolves in Crucial Premier League Clash

Liverpool travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening, where a victory for the Reds could send them to the top of the Premier League. Arne Slot’s side come into the game off the back of a hugely impressive 5-1 victory over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, despite making nine changes to their starting lineup.

Prior to that, Liverpool had convincing victories over AC Milan and AFC Bournemouth to get their season back on track after a disappointing result against Nottingham Forest. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at the starting eleven that Slot is expected to go with against Wolves…

Alisson’s Return?

Alisson Becker is expected to return to Liverpool’s starting lineup after missing games against Bournemouth and West Ham, as confirmed by Slot in his pre-match press conference. Ahead of him, both Virgil Van Dijk and Ibou Konate will also return to the starting lineup after sitting out against West Ham during the week.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson will also return to the side, shifting Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas back down the bench.

Verdict: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Robertson

Slot’s Machine at the Ready

Since his arrival, Slot has seemingly settled on his favoured midfield three and that system is expected to resume on Saturday. Ryan Gravenberch wasn’t involved in the squad against West Ham at all and will definitely return to the side for this one.

He will be joined by his usual partner in Alexis Mac Allister, who played just half an hour in midweek. Dominik Szoboszlai was another player to have the full night off and will return to that advanced role behind the forward.

Verdict: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai

Jota or Nunez?

More changes are expected in Liverpool’s front line ahead of this game. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will come back into the side in the wide positions. Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa will both likely be involved on the bench for this one.

The final decision is between Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota to lead the front line. I think Slot’s thinking would’ve been to give Nunez last Saturday and Wednesday, whilst Jota would play Wednesday and this Saturday – offering a fair balance of minutes in the midst of this chaotic schedule. Therefore, I suspect the Portuguese forward will lead the line after bagging two goals during the week.

Verdict: Salah, Jota, Diaz

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Jota, Diaz

Bench: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, Bradley, Tsimikas, Jones, Gakpo, Chiesa, Nunez