Once again, Liverpool did not need a first half of noticeable quality to dance their way to victory in the Premier League.
Jordan Ayew’s early goal on Boxing Day meant the league leaders played behind the first goal against Leicester City, but it was really There is absolutely no doubt that Arne Slott’s Reds would find a way to get past the Foxes and extend their lead to on top of the table.
Cody Gakpo’s stunning strike in first-half stoppage time set the stage for a barrage after resumption, with final victory 3-1 depicting the power of this Liverpool team. Smoothing gears is no problem, especially if Slot is tactically tinkering to increase his side’s chances of success.
The Reds will be desperate to end the year on a high before Manchester United come to town at the start of 2025. They face West Ham on Sunday afternoon and here’s the starting line-up Slot could choose in east London.
GK: Alisson – The Brazilian has struggled to keep clean sheets since returning from injury, but Caoimhin Kelleher only has a check if Alisson returns to the treatment table.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – The full-back prodigy was unrelenting in his efforts to beat his teammates at the back post on Boxing Dayespecially in the first half, before Liverpool changed tactics after the restart. Slot will be cautious as Alexander-Arnold played the full 90 on Thursday but Conor Bradley is still unavailable.
CB: Joe Gomez – Ibrahima Konate will take the starting position when he returns to the fold, but Gomez, like last season, is proving to be a more than capable understudy.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Ayew’s shot on Boxing Day deflected off the boot of Van Dijk, who had little else to do as Liverpool smothered Leicester for most of the contest. Jarrod Bowen’s energy will give the Dutchman something to think about on Sunday.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – Andy Robertson has played a lot over the past month, and many would say he is the weak link in that Liverpool team. Slot is likely to give the Scot a rest and bring Tsimikas back into the XI.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Support in the base of the midfield. Gravenberch may have been the Premier League’s most successful midfielder this term and Slot won’t be happy to rest him here.
CM: Alexis McAllister – Liverpool are at their best with Mac Allister purring in a comprehensive midfield role. He is the brain of this Reds team, but he also produces here and there in the final third.
RM: Mohamed Salah – Salah was by no means at his best on Boxing Day, but he still managed to appease the FPL owners (especially those who stuck the ribbon on him) by scoring Liverpool’s third goal. Inevitable.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – Curtis Jones was excellent against Leicester and is proving to be a critical member of this team, but Szoboszlai will surely return to the XI given his form.
LM: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo’s divine curler set Liverpool’s ball in motion on Boxing Day and the Dutchman was loving life on that left flank.
ST: Luis Diaz – Darwin Nunez continues to frustrate and boggle the mind, so we should see a change at the top. Diaz has impressed in the false nine role this term and was an unused substitute last time out.
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