Slot axes Salah after shock stats, six changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Lille
Arne Slot is expected to make six changes to his starting line-up when Liverpool host Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Reds are already qualified for the knockout stages so the Dutchman can make changes to keep his stars fresh for the Premier League title charge.
Mohamed Salah is predicted to be dropped against the French side and the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch and Luis Diaz also might miss out.
Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota are not expected to be fit for the clash against Bruno Genesio’s side.
Liverpool to make six changes for Lille clash
Alisson Becker is expected to continue between the sticks, he made seven saves against Brentford in the 2-0 victory [Fotmob].
Trent Alexander-Arnold notched an assist in the contest at the Gtech Stadium and is predicted to continue at right-back after creating five chances and making seven passes into the final third while making six recoveries.
Ibrahima Konate might be rested with Jarell Quansah replacing him in the starting line-up, the Frenchman won five of nine ground duels for a 56 per cent success rate against the Bees but could sit out of this one.
Virgil van Dijk is expected to captain the side, he won three of five aerial duels for a 60 per cent success rate and was accurate with 92 per cent of his passes against Thomas Frank’s side.
Kostas Tsimikas failed his audition on Saturday (18 January), he was successful with just 14 per cent of his crosses and won zero of the two ground duels he attempted, so Andy Robertson is expected to return to a starting berth.
At the base of midfield, Wataru Endo is expected to replace Ryan Gravenberch, the Dutchman recorded a 91 per cent pass accuracy and made six recoveries in the clash at the Gtech Stadium but might be rested.
Alexis Mac Allister is predicted to continue, he created three chances and won six out of the nine ground duels that he contested for a 67 per cent success rate in the victory.
Harvey Elliott might replace Dominik Szoboszlai after he was involved in both goals against the Bees, he notched an assist the second goal in his ten-minute cameo.
Two changes in attack?
Salah is expected to be dropped for the contest after he went two league matches without a goal, he did create seven chances against Brentford but made just two passes into the final third and recorded a pass accuracy of 68 per cent.
Federico Chiesa might replace the Egyptian after a three-minute cameo on Saturday in which he had nine touches and was disposed of just once.
Darwin Nunez is predicted to get the nod over Diaz after his heroics against the Bees, he scored two 90th-minute goals and had five touches in the opposition box in a 25-minute cameo.
The Colombian created just one chance, had eight touches in the box and won three out of eight attempted ground duels for a 38 per cent success rate before he was dragged off in the 65th minute.
Cody Gakpo might continue on the left flank, he underwhelmed in the victory but still created four chances and had five touches in the opposition box.
Slot can afford to rest several stars since the Reds have already secured qualification to the round of sixteen.
At the moment, his side’s focus should be extending their lead domestically and securing the Premier League title.
In other Liverpool news, Gary Lineker has agreed with Thomas Frank on his claims about the Reds.
For more Liverpool news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone