Liverpool lineups vs. Frankfurt with full-back swap, No Gravenberch and Mo Salah dropped…

Liverpool’s lineups against Frankfurt feature a full-back swap, with Gravenberch absent and Mo Salah benched.

Arne Slot is anticipated to adjust his starting lineup for the match against Eintracht Frankfurt, providing several players a chance to play following four consecutive losses.

The hectic schedule for Liverpool means that defeats cannot be dwelled upon for too long, as Wednesday’s Champions League match presents a quick chance to initiate a recovery.

This season, Slot has made an average of 3.5 changes for European matches, and he may surpass that number if he aims to bring in fresh energy and acknowledge the contributions of bench players.

There are several players who strongly advocate for inclusion, but will Liverpool’s head coach be prepared to implement the necessary adjustments?

Team updates: Gravenberch is unavailable

• Ryan Gravenberch is missing from training due to an ankle injury.

• Wataru Endo has returned to training after dealing with a hamstring issue.

• Alisson remains out, along with Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, and Jayden Danns.

Liverpool’s 21-man squad for travel:

Goalkeepers: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Misciur

Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Bradley, Kerkez, Robertson, Frimpong

Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Mac Allister, Jones, Endo

Forwards: Salah, Isak, Ekitike, Gakpo, Chiesa, Ngumoha

It is expected that Slot will need to implement the required changes to his starting lineup after fielding an unchanged team in the loss to Manchester United.

With Gravenberch sidelined due to an ankle injury, it is likely that Curtis Jones will step into his midfield role, with Dominik Szoboszlai partnering with the Scouser behind the more forward-positioned Florian Wirtz.

Virgil van Dijk is the first name on the lineup, and it is almost certain he will start alongside Ibrahima Konate, while adjustments in defense will likely occur at full-back.

Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson are strong contenders to take over from Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez, respectively, marking a return to the back four that began against Atletico Madrid.

There is a discussion about possibly dropping Mohamed Salah, yet he enjoys more confidence from Slot compared to Federico Chiesa, for instance, with Cody Gakpo and the returning Hugo Ekitike expected to form the front three.

Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

With Alexander Isak starting three consecutive matches for both club and country, it seems plausible to suggest that Ekitike will be selected to spearhead the attack, although Slot might choose to utilize both players.

The two have only played together briefly on two occasions this season, albeit during times when Liverpool was pursuing a result, but there is potential for synergy between the duo and Wirtz as the linking player.

This would introduce a new dynamic, potentially at the expense of Cody Gakpo’s position, who has accumulated 354 minutes in just over a fortnight.

Slot has shown a clear reluctance to start Chiesa, yet the Italian has contributed to four of Liverpool’s last five goals and is currently playing with a confidence that Salah seems to lack.

Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak

There are also valid cases for Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Bradley to be included in the starting lineup, and all are deserving candidates for Slot.

Liverpool must implement changes to halt their decline and regain their confidence, and fans will be hopeful that Slot shares this sentiment when the team sheet is revealed on Wednesday evening.