Liverpool's Premier League Journey Continues

As Liverpool gears up for their next Premier League battle against Burnley, manager Arne Slot is faced with challenging selection dilemmas. With the first international break of the season upon us, it’s the perfect moment for reflection after a whirlwind summer transfer window and a rocky start to defending their title.

The Reds recently claimed their place at the top with a hard-fought victory over Arsenal, and now they’re keen to maintain that momentum against the newly promoted Burnley next Sunday.

Injury and Recovery: The Player Update

Slot is nervously awaiting news from international duty, hoping his squad returns injury-free. Thankfully, with their match not kicking off until 2 PM, fatigue from the South American players shouldn’t be a major concern.

The absence of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace has narrowed Slot’s options to just four senior centre-backs. While Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the preferred duo—despite Konate dealing with cramp during the last match—Joe Gomez shone in his brief appearance against Arsenal and could earn more playing time. New recruit Giovanni Leoni may find his debut in the League Cup instead.

In terms of full-backs, Milos Kerkez has leapfrogged Andy Robertson, and Alisson Becker remains the first-choice goalkeeper, with Giorgi Mamardashvili waiting in the wings.

Midfield Questions: Mac Allister's Fitness

The midfield situation raises eyebrows, especially regarding Alexis Mac Allister, who was replaced after just an hour against Arsenal due to lingering fitness issues. If he can’t make it, Curtis Jones is poised to step in, while both Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo are strong alternatives.

Florian Wirtz has shown promising signs in adapting to the Premier League, while Szoboszlai and Jones could also take on the number 10 role, but don't discount Hugo Ekitike as a possible option.

Alexander Isak: A New Star on the Horizon?

One of the hottest topics is the potential inclusion of new record signing Alexander Isak, who has yet to play a minute for Newcastle this season. If he’s deemed fit enough, Isak could lead the attack, pushing Ekitike to the bench. Slot typically sticks to his 4-2-3-1 formation, but the arrival of both Isak and Ekitike could open up exciting formations in the future.

As Liverpool looks intently towards their next match, the decisions Slot makes could set the tone for the rest of the season!