Slot faces major Mac Allister decision as Liverpool forced into forward rethink

Arne Slot's side will now aim to potentially move into the top three when they make the journey down the East Lancs Road to take on bitter North West rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

And here we look ahead to the changes Reds head coach Slot could make when his team are next in action.

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Goalkeeper wait

With no more midweek games this season, Liverpool are under no pressure to rotate. However, injuries and availability means there are likely to be more changes for the clash at Old Trafford.

One big question is over who plays at right-back. Curtis Jones has done a solid job there in the last two games, but Joe Gomez is now fit. Jeremie Frimpong could be required further upfield, Dominik Szoboszlai has returned to the midfield while Conor Bradley is out for the season.

At left-back, Milos Kerkez will be pressing hard for a recall having been benched for the last three Premier League games with Andy Robertson impressing.

Gomez is also an option at centre-back but Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk have been the partnership for the last eight games. Giovanni Leoni will return next season having been described as a "beast" by Slot on Friday given his relentless work in the gym.

There is another poser for Slot in goal, although much will depend on whether Alisson Becker is finally free from his hamstring concerns. If not, Freddie Woodman will be on standby to deputise with Giorgi Mamardashvili absent as a nasty knee wound continues to heal.

Gravenberch decision

Slot has kept Szoboszlai as one of the two defensive midfielders in recent games, but on Saturday it was Alexis Mac Allister who partnered the Hungarian and not Ryan Gravenberch, who was benched for only the second time in the Premier League this campaign.

The call over which two of the trio start in the double pivot is probably the only choice needed in midfield with Jones potentially required again in defence while Florian Wirtz appears to have now locked down the number 10 role.

Wataru Endo could be back before the end of the season while Trey Nyoni continues to gain minutes from the bench. Stefan Bajcetic is sidelined while James McConnell returned for the under-21s at the weekend after five months out.

The injury to Mohamed Salah has shorn Liverpool of yet another forward option with Hugo Ekitike already out for a lengthy period after Achilles surgery.

Frimpong has ended the last two games on the right flank and would be the most likely replacement ahead of Federico Chiesa, although a reshuffle of the midfield could see Szoboszlai employed there.

Cody Gakpo has again edged ahead of teenager Rio Ngumoha down the left but is also an alternative to Alexander Isak down the middle. Jayden Danns continues to be unavailable but 18-year-old Will Wright made the bench against Palace and then scored twice for the U21s the following day.