Arne Slot made a complete of three modifications to his aspect for the journey to Leipzig, and defined why it was “logical” for Curtis Jones to get replaced by Alexis Mac Allister within the XI.
Liverpool have an intense schedule throughout a number of competitions, which is why many may have anticipated extra modifications to the beginning lineup at Leipzig, particularly with Arsenal to contemplate on Sunday.
Slot, nevertheless, opted to switch Andy Robertson, Jones and Diogo Jota (injured) with Kostas Tsimikas, Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez for Wednesday’s Champions League conflict.
Requested pre-match how a lot the league encounters in opposition to Chelsea and Arsenal have been thought-about when choosing his crew, Slot instructed TNT Sports activities: “Not that a lot, to be sincere.
“I’ve tried to choose, in my private opinion, the absolute best crew tonight however, after all, you keep in mind that we performed solely two days in the past.
“So which means, for instance, that Kostas is enjoying as a substitute of Robbo.
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“For Curtis Jones, I feel in everybody’s opinion, he was the perfect participant on the pitch [vs. Chelsea].
“However in case you dive a bit deeper into it, he’s solely performed two video games this season from the beginning and didn’t end any of the 2, so for me it was a bit too early to 2 days later play him once more.
“And in case you have Macca, who’s again from being sick, it’s, in my view, a logical option to make.”
As Slot famous, Jones’ final two begins have seen him withdrawn near the 90-minute mark and after an harm early within the season, it’s sensible to guard the midfielder when the chance arises.
It does, nevertheless, make you surprise why the likes of Jarell Quansah and Wataru Endo aren’t being utilised extra to allow Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch to be rotated out of the aspect.
Maybe we are going to see that in opposition to Brighton within the League Cup subsequent week.
Additional up the sphere, Nunez will get his probability as soon as once more after impressing along with his defensive efforts in opposition to Chelsea, and Slot is hoping the No. 9 will discover his manner onto the scoresheet in opposition to Leipzig.
“What you’re at all times hoping {that a} striker would do, that’s scoring,” he mentioned of what he hopes to see from the Uruguayan.
“However aside from scoring, additionally Darwin when he got here in in opposition to Chelsea confirmed how necessary he was for us additionally with out the ball along with his urgent.
“However ultimately, strikers are on the teamsheet largely for scoring, so I’m hoping he can convey that to us as we speak.”
