Liverpool FC News: Arne Slot confirms five players will be REPLACED

Liverpool brought in a lot of players this summer, but plenty went out the door as well.

Of course, the focus is on the new recruits and very little was made of the 'deadwood' that was moved on to pastures new, but the Reds now have truly elite squad depth to utilise the season.

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In the past week, three fixtures were played in seven days - starting off with Burnley (A) in the Premier League, followed by Atletico Madrid (H) in the Champions League and then Everton (H) back in the league again, with the Carabao Cup now being introduced this week starting from Tuesday.

Given how earlier into the campaign we still are, it's imperative that players' fitness is managed well and so when Southampton visit Anfield in a couple of days time, you can expect to see a switch-up.

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Arne Slot confirmed the notion that changes were now likely during his post-match press conference following the Merseyside Derby win on Saturday, although who is expected to play is still a mystery.

Five changes guaranteed for Tuesday

Speaking to the media, Slot clarified that Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai will not be involved against Southampton, as each has played 90 minutes in the last three games. They're in need of a well-deserved break this week.

But who comes in for them remains an unanswered question. We've been left to fill in the gaps.

It makes sense for two centre-backs to come in for the two who will miss out, so Giovanni Leoni might finally get his debut, playing alongside veteran defender Joe Gomez, who is now back fit.

With regard to the midfield balance, you could also make direct substitutions with Wataru Endo coming in for Gravenberch and Curtis Jones playing the No. 8 role beside him, if Florian Wirtz is returned to the No. 10 position from the start - he started on the bench in Saturday's contest.

Otherwise, Jones might take the attacking role with Mac Allister remaining put as the No. 8, although the Argentine is yet to have got his mojo back, so you could also be rested, prompting a chance for Trey Nyoni to get his first senior opportunity this season, now that he's a first-team squad member.

In attack, the replacement for Salah is likely to be Federico Chiesa, although a number of other decisions need to be made in regard to Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike who also start most games.

Alexander Isak could come in and his minutes will either be capped by the Frenchman replacing him, or academy prospect Jayden Danns might be called up from the U21s, after delivering some really impressive displays in last season's domestic cup tournaments. There are three strikers to consider.

Over on the left, Rio Ngumoha could easily get his first start of the season as well, since his superior in Gakpo might only be risked if a bit more experience is needed to eventually get us over the line.

Elsewhere, the rumour mill has it that Giorgi Mamardashvili is set for his Liverpool debut, coming in for Alisson between the sticks and choices are aplenty at left-back and right-back, so Arne Slot will be able to get experimental for the first time this season, should he want to utilise his entire squad.

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