Arne Slot surely hasn’t had many better weeks in his managerial career.
2-0 victories over Real Madrid and Manchester City leave his imperious Liverpool outfit in dominant positions at the top of the Champions League and Premier League tables.
Slot, of course, inherited a team capable of competing for the highest honours, but not even he would have envisaged such a thrilling start to his reign on Merseyside. While Jurgen Klopp’s Reds could only go as far as emotion took them last season, Slot’s current iteration have been defined by their control and ability to adapt to any circumstance.
However, they’ll be put to the test this week following their recent highs. Liverpool are aiming to avoid an anxiety-inducing comedown when they face Newcastle United on Wednesday and here’s the team Slot could pick for their upcoming Premier League bout.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – The Irishman could have napped for the bulk of Sunday’s bout, but Kelleher was still on hand to save his captain by denying Kevin De Bruyne one-on-one. He continues to shine in Alisson’s absence.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Conor Bradley is poised for a period on the sidelines but Liverpool have been buoyed by the recent return of Alexander-Arnold from injury.
CB: Joe Gomez – Ibrahima Konate has joined Bradley on the sidelines and missed the Man City duel, but Gomez was exceptional in his absence at Anfield on Sunday. He should keep his place over Jarell Quansah.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Sunday was a timely reminder of Van Dijk’s undoubted excellence. If he stays injury-free, it’s hard to envisage anyone making up the current gap on the league leaders.
LB: Andy Robertson – After missing much of pre-season, Robertson has been forced to work his way into 2024/25 and it hasn’t been plain sailing for the Scot thus far. However, Slot has been forced to lean on his experienced full-back with Kostas Tsimikas missing due to an ankle injury.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Liverpool’s revelation continues to dazzle at the base of Slot’s midfield. There’s bound to be some rotation in the middle of the park, but Gravenberch is currently operating like an undroppable lynchpin.
CM: Curtis Jones – The England international has impressed this term but competition is fierce in Liverpool’s engine room. Jones was used off the bench against City and should be rotated into the side on Wednesday.
RW: Mohamed Salah – Talk remains rife over his future, with Salah hinting Sunday’s bout was his last against Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens at Anfield. Still, he continues to produce at a staggering rate.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – The Hungarian was superb against the Cityzens and is entering some good form having scored in the 3-2 win at Southampton two Sundays ago. Szoboszlai’s running power will be important against a tenacious Newcastle midfield.
LW: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo netted his eighth goal of the season last time out, with Slot maximising his compatriot by deploying him wide left.
ST: Darwin Nunez – Nunez was the hero on Tyneside last season as he scored twice to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the closing stages. The Uruguayan continues to operate as an agent of chaos up top – the antithesis of Slot’s order – and he’ll likely get the nod on Wednesday having featured off the bench on Sunday.