Liverpool take on AC Milan on Tuesday night in a crucial match, and manager Arne Slot will have to make some changes to his team after their recent defeat to Nottingham Forest. Many of Liverpool’s key players have been heavily involved in international duty, playing multiple games in a short period of time. This has led to fatigue and sluggishness in their recent matches. In order to field a fresh side at the San Siro, Slot will need to rotate his squad.
Out – Dominik Szoboszlai
One player who is likely to be left out of the starting XI is Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian midfielder has played the full 90 minutes in three consecutive games, including matches for Liverpool and the national team. Towards the end of the game against Nottingham Forest, it was evident that fatigue had affected Szoboszlai’s performance. He needs a rest and some rejuvenation after a frustrating set of results. Resting him for the AC Milan match would be a prudent decision.
In – Curtis Jones
A suitable replacement for Szoboszlai would be Curtis Jones. Jones was not involved in the international break, allowing him to return to full fitness and train with the first-team squad. He came into the game against Forest as a substitute and showed promise. Starting him against AC Milan would be a logical choice, as he has the ability to excel in the attacking midfield role. Jones proved his worth during pre-season and this match could be his chance to make a statement under the new head coach.
Out – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is another player who has played a significant amount of football in a short span of time. He has played three full 90-minute matches, including international games. In the match against Forest, Alexander-Arnold was pushed into the midfield in the second half and exerted himself to create chances for Liverpool. After such a physically demanding week, he needs some rest to recover properly.
In – Conor Bradley
A capable alternative to Alexander-Arnold is Conor Bradley. Although he has not been given many opportunities under Slot, Bradley proved his ability last season under Jurgen Klopp. He has featured off the bench in all of Liverpool’s games so far this season. The match against AC Milan at the San Siro could be the perfect opportunity for Bradley to make his first start under Slot. He has the potential to perform at the highest level and has previous Champions League experience with the club.
Out – Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch has been in great form for Liverpool, but like Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai, he needs a rest. Gravenberch has also played three full 90-minute matches recently. Despite his excellent performances, he cannot be the only player deployed in the No. 6 role for the rest of the season. It is important to give the 22-year-old midfielder a proper rest to allow him to recover fully.
In – Wataru Endo
Although Wataru Endo is not currently favored by Slot, he proved himself last season under Klopp. The 31-year-old midfielder was able to adjust to Klopp’s style of play and became an important player for Liverpool. Endo is a determined character who is willing to work hard to meet the requirements of his new environment. He will be looking for an opportunity to come back into Slot’s plans, and the match against AC Milan could be his chance to prove himself once again.
In conclusion, Liverpool’s match against AC Milan presents an opportunity for manager Arne Slot to rotate his squad and give some key players a well-deserved rest. Players like Szoboszlai, Alexander-Arnold, Gravenberch, and Bradley can be replaced by Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo, who have the ability to make an impact in the game. By making these changes, Liverpool can field a fresh and competitive side at the San Siro.