Alisson BACK, Gakpo DROPPED despite double - Liverpool predicted XI vs Wolves | OneFootball

Liverpool are back in Premier League action this weekend with the Reds heading to Molineux to take on bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Arne Slot's side are facing an intense sequence of fixtures, and are currently in the midst of a run of seven fixtures in 22 days.

WATCH: Liverpool's five goals against West Ham

The Dutch tactician opted to shuffle his pack for the midweek game against West Ham with his side emerging convincing winners.

Liverpool won 5-1 against the Hammers at Anfield with the strength in depth in the squad very much on display.

Having lost his place to Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota was back in the lineup and took his opportunity to impress by scoring twice. Back-up left-winger Cody Gakpo has had to play second fiddle to the electric Luis Diaz this season but he also netted twice in a comprehensive display.

Arne Slot rests players against West Ham

Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah meanwhile were afforded some well-earned time off and took their place on the bench.

Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch, meanwhile, had the night off altogether with Slot opting to bring in the likes of Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones to his starting XI.

Nonetheless, it is expected Liverpool will be back to full strength in the Premier League on Saturday and they are hoping to capitalise on Arsenal's draw with Manchester City at the Etihad last week.

The loss to Nottingham Forest a fortnight ago has left the Merseysiders with little margin for error in the title race even at this early stage.

Goalkeeper - Alisson Becker

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker

The Brazil No.1 is pushing for a starting place after a muscle injury forced him to miss the matches against Bournemouth and West Ham. Caoimhin Kelleher has deputised well as usual while Alisson has been on the sidelines but Arne Slot hinted in his pre-West Ham press conference that Saturday was being pencilled in for a return.

Right-Back - Trent Alexander-Arnold

Without a doubt one of Liverpool's players of the season so far, it is expected that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be drafted back into the lineup having been given a rest for the Carabao Cup game against West Ham. Conor Bradley was impressive in his place but realistically won't be challenging Trent for a place in the starting XI any time soon.

Centre-Back - Ibrahima Konate

Ibrahima Konate Liverpool

Ibrahima Konate looks a player reborn under Arne Slot having endured a very tough end to the season under Jurgen Klopp last term and subsequently losing his place in the France XI. Having replaced Jarell Quansah on the opening day of the season - against Ipswich at half-time - Konate hasn't looked back. He is emerging as a Premier League defensive colossus alongside Virgil van Dijk. Konate was afforded a break against West Ham in midweek but should be ready to come back into the lineup.

Centre-Back - Virgil van Dijk

Van Dijk

Joe Gomez took over the captain's armband and Virgil van Dijk's place in the backline during the game in midweek but even at 33 the Dutchman is among the first names on the teamsheet. He will be back to marshal what has been one of the most impressive defensive units in Europe so far this season.

Left-Back - Andy Robertson

Football - FA Premier League - Liverpool FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 18, 2024: Liverpool s Andy Robertson during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda LIVERPOOL Anfield MERSEYSIDE ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2024-05-19-Liverpool_Wolves-28

Kostas Tsimikas has got his chance over the last few fixtures - starting against AC Milan in the Champions League and West Ham in the Carabao Cup - but there is no doubt who Liverpool's starting left-back will be on Saturday. Tsimikas was erratic against Milan, costing the Reds' the opening goal, and endured a topsy-turvy night against the Hammers to boot.

Andy Robertson is dependable and even if he misses the odd few games through being rested or injured, he is still very much a first-pick for Slot. Whether a reported chase for Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez affects that status remains to be seen.

Defensive Midfield - Ryan Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch has been one of the success stories of Liverpool's season, making the No6 spot his own and earning comparisons to some of the very best players in the game. He didn't play midweek with Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones coming into the team but that decision is likely to have been based on the head coach's desire to rest his compatriot with bigger games coming up.

Centre Midfield - Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister was another one who didn't play from the beginning in midweek but is an integral part of the midfield unit. Quietly efficient in the centre of the park, the Argentine has been outstanding this season under Slot. Although Endo and Jones acquitted themselves well, neither has a realistic chance of dislodging the World Cup winner in the coach's preferred game plan at the moment.

Attacking Midfield - Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool altered their shape against West Ham with Slot opting to drop a midfielder and fielding a second striker instead. That meant a partnership of Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez up top with Dominik Szoboszlai being afforded a place on the bench. However the Hungary captain will surely start at the weekend as Slot reverts to his preferred shape.

Right Forward - Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah Liverpool

Mohamed Salah was sprung from the bench midweek, replacing Federico Chiesa, who was given his first start in a Liverpool shirt. Klopp was left counting the cost of a Salah injury at a crucial time in the season last term and so managing the Egyptian's minutes will be crucial for Slot this term. That said, he is very much an 'undroppable' in Premier League action. Having seen Chiesa deputise capably, Mo will be ready to step back in at the weekend.

Left Forward - Luis Diaz

Another player who has been given a new lease of life under Arne Slot, Luis Diaz has put to rest any doubts that he has the capability of leading the Liverpool line. A scorer of five goals thus far this season, the Colombian looks a far more assured presence in front of goal and has quickly emerged as the Reds' go-to guy on the left side of attack. Cody Gakpo did well against West Ham, scoring twice, but realistically he is waiting for an injury or a loss of form for Diaz before he gets a run in the team.

Striker - Darwin Nunez

Darwin Nunez Arne Slot Liverpool

This is arguably Slot's toughest decision of the weekend. Diogo Jota was dropped due a lack of involvement in Liverpool's general play as well as a lack of goals. Darwin Nunez came in last weekend and scored a brilliant goal, grabbing his chance to start with both hands. However, Jota netted twice in midweek and looked back to his usual self.

He was the better of the duo who started up front together. With Slot likely to revert to a one-striker system, someone will have to drop out. To that extent Darwin didn't do enough to merit being dropped again.

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