Liverpool line-ups as Darwin Nunez call made and key men rested for Southampton

Liverpool line-ups as Darwin Nunez decision made and key men rested for Southampton

Our writers have selected their XIs for the Premier League meeting with Saints at Anfield

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On paper, this should be Liverpool's easiest game of the Premier League season. For Arne Slot though, there are selection conundrums against Southampton.

After the monumental effort in the 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in midweek and with the second leg to come, this match could represent a chance to change things up. The title is virtually secured after all and Saints are in the running to be one of the worst Premier League teams in history.

Still, Slot will be wary of complacency keeping in and will be desperate to see his players extend the gap to Arsenal to 16 points by the end of today's game. This is how our writers would set up the Reds today at Anfield.

Ian Doyle

There are no easy games in the Premier League. But surely there cannot be an easier assignment this season - on paper, at least - than rock-bottom Southampton at home for Liverpool, even if the Reds have twice only just beaten the Saints on the road.

And slap bang in the middle of two titanic Champions League clashes against Paris Saint-Germain, changes are afoot.

What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?

There needs to be rotation in all areas of the pitch. Not in goal, though, as that remains Alisson Becker. Kostas Tsimikas can come in at left-back, while Jarell Quansah should partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only fit right-back at present.

In midfield, everyone needs a rest, but it would be a big shout to drop them all. Ryan Gravenberch can stay in the double pivot with Wataru Endo coming in, and Curtis Jones as the number 10.

Up top, Darwin Nunez can lead the line, with Mohamed Salah on the right and Luis Diaz on the left.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Endo; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez

Paul Gorst

Sixteen points clear sounds like the quite the incentive for today but I think there might be some resting and rotating ahead of a major week of Champions League and Carabao Cup final action.

Arne Slot has rarely shuffled his pack too firmly during his time on Merseyside but if the Reds boss can’t trust some of his fringe players against the division’s worst side in Southampton then something really is amiss.

I am not going to go too ‘Plymouth away in the Cup’ here but Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones have certainly staked their respective claims and there’s a nod for Darwin Nunez too, who can build on an encouraging cameo in Paris on Wednesday night.

I did think about starting Jarell Quansah at right-back also but Trent Alexander-Arnold keeps his place. This feels like a good one for Kostas Tsimikas too.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Elliott, Diaz; Nunez

Theo Squires

Liverpool could move 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table if they beat Southampton on Saturday. It is an opportunity they really cannot afford to squander against the strugglers.

Coming fast off the back of the midweek trip to Paris, and with PSG looming again on Tuesday, I’m making a few changes for this one.

Kostas Tsimikas can come in at left-back, while Wataru Endo is handed a long-awaited first Premier League start of the season as Ryan Gravenberch is rested. Alexis Mac Allister can continue alongside him, with Dominik Szoboszlai at number 10.

I’m bringing in Curtis Jones though, with the midfield handed a start on the left-wing. I am tempted to give Harvey Elliott a start too, but in all honesty, I just can’t see Arne Slot turning to him despite his PSG heroics.

Darwin Nunez does get the chance to lead the line though, after setting up Elliott’s winner, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota both dropping to the bench.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Jones; Nunez

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