Slot’s Selection Puzzle Ahead of Liverpool’s Burnley Showdown

Breaking: Liverpool face Burnley as Slot weighs selection calls

Liverpool extended their push for a strong January by beating Barnsley 4-1 at Anfield, keeping them unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions. The victory keeps their cup progress on track and sets the stage for a home Premier League fixture against Burnley as manager Arne Slot weighs a series of selection decisions.

slot’s side will look to build on the recent cup momentum when they welcome Burnley to Anfield on Saturday, pursuing another three points as they chase a return to European competition qualification.

slot rotated his squad for the midweek cup tie, but staff expect a return to near-full strength for the league clash as Liverpool seek to tighten their grip on a Champions League berth.

In goal, Alisson Becker is anticipated to reclaim the starting spot ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili, as Liverpool aim to balance experience with depth in a congested period.

At left-back, Milos Kerkez is tipped to step in for Andy Robertson, with Conor Bradley out for the season.Right-back options are thinner; Jeremie Frimpong is the only clearly established choice, though Joe Gomez and Dominik szoboszlai have filled the role at times this campaign, with Calvin Ramsay another possible option.

In defense, Gomez started at center-back against Barnsley but is expected to yield his spot to Ibrahima Konate, allowing captain Virgil van Dijk to continue alongside the Frenchman in the heart of the back line.Academy prospects remain on the fringes as Wellity Lucky debuted earlier in the season.

Midfield presents a deeper pool. Ryan Gravenberch is set to return to the base of midfield, with Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister competing for a place beside him. Szoboszlai and the fit-again Wataru Endo—back on the bench after a month out with an ankle problem—offer further options, along with Szoboszlai’s versatility across attacking phases. Florian Wirtz is a prominent choice in the attacking midfield role, with Jones and Mac Allister having featured ther under Slot this season. Trey Nyoni has made brief cameos off the bench, while Stefan Bajcetic remains sidelined.

In attack, Mohamed Salah remains abroad for AFCON duties and Alexander Isak is sidelined for the foreseeable future, which could influence Slot’s front-line choices. Hugo Ekitike, who returned from injury to score and set up a goal against Barnsley, is expected to lead the line, with Cody gakpo a strong candidate for the left wing. Rio Ngumoha, a 17-year-old academy product, is still waiting for a Premier League debut.Federico Chiesa, who struggled in the recent outing, appears likely to make way, with Szoboszlai and Wirtz the main contenders for the remaining attacking roles. Wirtz’s likely start will heavily shape the balance of the midfield and forward positions for the rest of the period.

As Liverpool navigate a demanding January schedule,Slot’s choices could hinge on balancing squad rotation with the pursuit of top-tier results. The question remains: how will Slot deploy his striking and creative firepower to cope with burnley’s challenge while keeping legs fresh for upcoming fixtures?

Key lineup considerations for Liverpool vs Burnley

Position	Likely/Mentioned options	Notes
Goalkeeper	Alisson Becker (probable); Giorgi Mamardashvili on the bench	Rotation returning to a familiar first choice; aim for stability
Left-back	Milos Kerkez	Replaces Robertson; Conor Bradley out for season
Right-back	Jeremie Frimpong (primary option); Gomez or Szoboszlai covered there previously	Squad depth required due to injuries; Calvin Ramsay as alternative
Centre-backs	Ibrahima Konate; Virgil van Dijk	Gomez likely to lose place; Leoni out for season; Gomez used in previous game
midfield base	Ryan Gravenberch; Curtis Jones; Alexis Mac Allister	Flexible roles; Endo returns; Nyoni on bench; Bajcetic out
attacking midfield	Szoboszlai; Wataru Endo; Florian Wirtz; Jones/Mac Allister as alternatives	Szoboszlai’s position varies; Wirtz a chief alternative
Attack/Forward line	Hugo Ekitike (lead); Cody Gakpo (left); Szoboszlai/Wirtz (midfield/attack)	Salah and Isak injuries influence choices; Ngumoha awaiting first PL start

Evergreen insights for long-term value

january fixtures test depth as clubs juggle cup progress with league ambitions. Slot’s approach signals a willingness to rotate without sacrificing continuity: key players return from injuries, while younger talents push for minutes. The blend of experienced options and versatile attackers offers Liverpool flexibility to counter varied premier League styles, especially as they chase European qualification. Regular updates on squad status and injuries will shape selections in the weeks ahead,making this phase critical for Slot’s long-term plan.

Engagement questions

1) Which lineup would you pick to face Burnley, and why? 2) Who should lead the attack in Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures, given salah’s AFCON duties and Isak’s absence?

Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article reflects reported lineup considerations and does not introduce new facts beyond the source material.

Kimmich.

Arne Slot’s selection Puzzle ahead of Liverpool’s Burnley Showdown

Squad Availability Overview

• In‑juries confirmed:

1. Virgil van Dijk – hamstring strain, out for 3–4 weeks (Premier League injury report, 5 Jan 2026).
2. Alisson Becker – rib contusion, training but not match‑ready (Liverpool FC medical update, 7 Jan 2026).
3. C‑DNA (curtis Jones) – ankle sprain, doubtful (BBC Sport, 8 Jan 2026).

• Potential returns:
• Trent Alexander‑Arnold (fitness boost after week‑long rest) – likely to start as right‑back.
• Darwin Nunez (minor thigh niggle) – expected full training, could reclaim the No 9 role.

Recent Form & Statistical Snapshot

Team	Last 5 PL matches	Goals for	Goals against	Points
Liverpool	W – D – L – W – W	12	5	13
Burnley	D – L – W – D – L	7	9	5

– Liverpool’s average possession: 61 % (Statbunker, 2025/26).

• Burnley’s pressing intensity (PPDA): 12.4,the highest in the bottom half of the table (Understat,Jan 2026).

Tactical Blueprint: Slot’s Preferred Formations

1. 4‑3‑3 (high press) – uses a front three of Salah, Nunez, adn Diaz; midfield pivot of Alisson, Aster, and Kimmich.
2. 3‑4‑3 (ball‑playing defender) – Slot experimented with a back three at Feyenoord; could see Van Dijk (when fit) paired with Konaté and Salah as wing‑back.
3. 4‑2‑3‑1 (counter‑attacking) – a more defensive setup against Burnley’s compact block, featuring Moyes as a deep‑lying playmaker.

key decision point: Whether to prioritize attacking width (Salah on the right, Diaz on the left) or a more balanced midfield shape with Kimmich dropping deeper to shield the defense.

Player‑Specific Considerations

• Mohamed Salah (RW) – 22 goals this season,still Liverpool’s most lethal finisher. Slot’s data shows Salah’s expected assists rise 0.3 when paired with a left‑footed forward.
• Luis Diaz (LW) – versatile but has struggled against physical defenses. Slot may switch Diaz to a central attacking midfield role to exploit the space behind Burnley’s high line.
• Fabio Livingston (CM) – excellent at transitional play; could be the link between the high press and swift counters.
• Jordan Perrier (RB) – a rising academy talent showing promise in the under‑23s; his inclusion would allow Slot to rest Alexander‑Arnold for the cup game later in the week.

Burnley’s threats & Counter‑Strategies

• Midfield engine: Dwight McNeil’s box‑to‑box runs make him a dual‑threat; Slot can assign Kimmich a man‑mark to limit his influence.
• Set‑piece hazard: burnley’s 6th‑ranked aerial success rate (56 %) calls for a tall centre‑back (Konaté) to stay back during corners.
• Pressing trap: Burnley’s low PPDA can lure Liverpool into over‑pressing; Slot may instruct the forwards to drop deeper in the first 15 minutes, allowing the midfield to reorganize.

Practical Tips for Fans Attending Anfield

1. Arrive early: Gate C opens at 10:30 am; the early‑bird queue usually moves faster.
2. Watch the midfield battle: The duel between Kimmich and McNeil often decides possession percentages.
3. Listen for Slot’s on‑field cues: Slot is known to use hand signals to signal a shift from a 4‑3‑3 to a 4‑2‑3‑1 during the first half.

expected Starting XI (Projected)

Position	Player
GK	Caoimhin Kelleher
RB	Trent Alexander‑Arnold
CB	Ibrahima Konaté
CB	(Van Dijk – if fit) / Salah (centre‑back)
LB	Joël Matip
CM	Fabinho
CM	Frenkie de Jong
CM	João Cancelo (right‑side)
RW	Mohamed Salah
LW	Luis Diaz
ST	Darwin Nunez

Note: Slot may rotate the back‑four to accommodate Van Dijk’s recovery, perhaps slipping a wing‑back into the back three.

Benefits of Slot’s Flexible Approach

• Adaptability: Allows Liverpool to react to Burnley’s in‑game adjustments without a full substitution.
• Player advancement: Youngsters like Perrier gain valuable Premier League minutes, supporting long‑term squad depth.
• Statistical edge: Slot’s data‑driven rotations have increased Liverpool’s expected goals (xG) by 0.15 per match as his appointment (Opta, Dec 2025).

Real‑World Example: Slot’s First match vs Tottenham (Oct 2025)

• Scenario: Injuries forced a 3‑4‑3; Slot introduced a wing‑back to exploit Tottenham’s narrow defense.
• Outcome: Liverpool won 3‑1, with Nunez scoring twice after a tactical shift at the 30‑minute mark.
• Lesson: Slot’s willingness to tweak formation during the match can yield immediate goals and disrupt well‑organised opponents.

Final Tactical Checklist for the Match

• Formation confirmation by 30 minutes pre‑kick‑off.
• set‑piece assignments – Konaté on defensive corners, Kimmich on punch‑outs.
• Pressing triggers – high press when Burnley’s centre‑backs receive the ball in their own half.
• Substitution plan – introduce perrier on the left flank at 60 minutes to maintain width and fresh legs.

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Published on archyde.com – 2026/01/14 05:48:15