View: Arne Slot to drop Gakpo in three changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Chelsea
Arne Slot is predicted to axe Cody Gakpo in three changes to the Liverpool starting lineup to face Chelsea on Sunday 20 October.
The Reds will welcome Chelsea to Anfield knowing three points will secure their place at the top of the Premier League table.
Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to line up in goal for Liverpool with Alisson set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Alexis Mac Allister set to be benched for Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo making way for the in-form Luis Diaz.
Slot has won all his Premier League matches barring the 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest thus far but will begin a gruelling period at Anfield with ties against Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid on the horizon.
Arne Slot to make three changes for Liverpool v Chelsea
Alisson is expected to be ruled out until the end of November with a Grade 2 hamstring injury with Kelleher expected to deputise in goal for the Reds against Chelsea. The 25-year-old has impressed on international duty producing five saves and saving 71 per cent of shots on target faced in the 2-1 loss to Greece [Sofascore].
Despite constant speculation linking Trent Alexander-Arnold with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season, the vice-captain should keep his place in the side after also, excelling for England throughout the international break.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate should resume their partnership in central defence with Andy Robertson completing the backline with no fresh injury concerns for the regular starters.
Mac Allister started for Argentina in the 6-0 win against Bolivia, completing 88 per cent of his passes and winning 40 per cent of his duels. However, the 25-year-old is expected to be rested for the weekend with Jones filling in on the left of the midfield three.
There are only so many superlatives to describe how influential Ryan Gravenberch has been for the Reds this year and he should continue at the anchor of the midfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai should occupy the attacking midfield role after finding his goalscoring form for Hungary, scoring a brace from two shots on target, completing two key passes and 80 per cent of his dribbles in the 2-0 win against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Liverpool expected to name in-form Luis Diaz to start v Chelsea
Mohammed Salah has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League as of late, but has an excellent record against Chelsea, scoring four and assisting seven goals in 13 league outings [Transfermarkt]. The Egyptian should continue his role on the flanks.
Diogo Jota is another who has suffered a decline in form but, his strike against Crystal Palace secured the three points at Selhurst Park and Darwin Nunez is hardly putting up much of a fight for a starting berth. The 27-year-old should keep his place against Chelsea.
Gakpo was excellent against Crystal Palace; he assisted Jota’s goal, laid on five key passes, completed 100 per cent of his dribbles, and won 80 per cent of his duels against the Eagles [Sofascore].
Unfortunately for the Dutchman, Diaz produced sensational performances for Colombia through the international break and topped it off with a goal in the 4-0 win against Bolivia. The 27-year-old should reclaim his place in the starting eleven.
In other Liverpool news, Darren Bent expects a Liverpool ace to leave after what he’s told live on talkSPORT.
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