Alisson is set to return to the Liverpool side for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Brazilian goalkeeper is back in training at Kirkby after missing the past two matches due to a minor hamstring problem. “We think he is (ready to play),” said head coach Arne Slot. “He trained yesterday a part of our session with the group, so we’re expecting him to do the whole session today. So we think he is available.
Slot made nine changes for the midweek Carabao Cup rout of West Ham United and was delighted with the response he got from fringe players who have been short of game time. Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch, who were given the night off on Wednesday, are set to be among those recalled at Molineux.
Luis Diaz will be looking to maintain his hot streak having netted five goals in the opening five Premier League matches. The Colombian only scored eight top-flight goals in 37 games last season. “We train on a daily basis trying to help in the best possible way in terms of where to position themselves and what to do in certain situations,” Slot added. “But in the last third of the pitch it’s about the quality of the player and the finishing he has. Eight league goals (last season) is, for his quality, not of his standard. Maybe he was a bit unlucky.”
With six wins from seven games in all competitions so far, it’s been a flying start to Slot’s reign but he’s not getting carried away. “It’s been positive with the small disappointment of losing at home to Forest,” said Slot. “The style we play is close to what you guys were used to for nine years. Keeping results going is a good thing but I have to mention that the fixture list has been good to us so far. A good start but not a perfect one.”
Alisson Becker's Return to the Starting Lineup
Alisson Becker could return from injury for Liverpool’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The Reds’ No.1 has missed his side’s last two games, but Arne Slot provided a positive update on his fitness during Friday morning’s pre-match press conference. “We think he is [ready to play],” the head coach said. “He trained yesterday a part of our session with the group, so we’re expecting him to do the whole session today. So, we think he is available but of course we have to train today. And of course we’re really happy with Alisson being back but I want to emphasise the fact that Caoimhin [Kelleher] did really well in the two games he was in goal for us, so another example of me having two, and I think even three, good options in certain positions.”
Liverpool's Predicted Starting Lineup Against Wolves
After Arne Slot made nine changes against West Ham, he is expected to go back to his usual starting XI to play Wolves, with Alisson expected to be fit. Playing and beating Wolves away is going to be no easy task, but Liverpool are in a great position to do so with a near-fully fit squad and firing frontline. The Reds travel to Molineux with six wins from seven games, the only blip coming against Nottingham Forest, and you would back that run to continue given Wolves have earned just one point so far this season.
After making nine changes to play West Ham in the League Cup, we expect Slot to make the same number again plus one, as he brings back the first XI he is coming to trust. This is despite the likes of Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones making a positive impact from the start in midweek. They could next be called upon in the Champions League against Bologna next Wednesday.
The main talking point is that Alisson should be ready to start, with Slot saying on Friday morning: “We think he is [ready to return], he trained yesterday in a part of our session so we expect him to do the whole session today. So we think he is available, but, of course, we have to train today.” This is how Liverpool would line up:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz
In truth, we are pretty certain that Slot will go back to the team, minus Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher, who played against Bournemouth at Anfield. However, there does exist the possibility he will seek to use the Uruguayan’s pace away from home. In an unlikely alternative scenario, we could see:
Here’s how this improbable XI would look:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
This is possibly the easiest starting XI to predict of the season as, barring any late niggles, Slot can use the team he planned for last week. If you look at his in-game substitutions, it is getting easier to predict how the Dutchman will select his sides in busy weeks.
A Look Ahead to the Game at Molineux
The dust has firmly settled on Liverpool's win over West Ham in the EFL Cup and Arne Slot's full focus will now be on tomorrow's trip to Wolves in the Premier League. The Reds go into this weekend's round of fixtures sitting in second place in the table, behind leaders Manchester City by a single point. Arne Slot will address the press today, where he will give an update on team news ahead of the fixture at Molineux.
Arne Slot has not shied away from how tough Saturday's trip to Wolves will be as the Reds chase a third-successive victory in all competitions. Liverpool emerged as 3-1 winners on its last trip to Molineux - but not without it's fair share of struggles after the hosts took an early lead and it took until the final 10 minutes for the Reds to turn the game on its head. “When it comes to Wolves I think they play really good football and have been really unlucky. Even last season when Liverpool won, they were one nil up, and it took until the 85th-minute for Robbo to score,” Slot said. “The players know how tough it is to play over there so we need to be ready from the start, but you need to be in every game.”
Arne Slot's Thoughts on Alisson Becker's Return
Arne Slot has confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper is “available” for tomorrow's game with Wolves. The Brazilian shot-stopper has missed the last two fixtures against Bournemouth and West Ham but has since returned to training and is expected to be among the first-team squad once again this weekend. “We think he is available,” Slot said. “He trained yesterday in part of our session, so we expect him to do the whole session today.
“Of course we are really happy with Alisson being back but I want to emphasise the fact we did really well in the two games he wasn't in goal for us.”
What's Next for Liverpool?
Liverpool will be looking to continue their strong start to the season with a win against Wolves on Saturday. The Reds are in a good position to challenge for the Premier League title, but they will need to maintain their consistency throughout the season.
The return of Alisson Becker is a big boost for the Reds, and he will be hoping to help his side to another victory on Saturday. The game against Wolves is sure to be a tough one, but Liverpool will be confident of getting a result.
