Liverpool is from being confirmed as champion, and yet the performance and result against Fulham this weekend would have left with plenty to think about.
Fortunately for the Dutchman, he has a full week with his players to get to the bottom of what went wrong at Craven Cottage. And there are by the time the Liverpool teamsheet drops next Sunday.
Firstly, will come back into the team that will be conducted before then. And , though he wasn't able to start the game in the capital, looked sharp when he entered the field. With another full week of training, he should be ready to play from the off at Anfield next weekend.
READ MORE:
READ MORE:
While there was merit to , Bradley's return will signal the end of that experiment. Jones is clearly a much better midfielder than he is a right-back, even if he wasn't helped by .
In midfield, looked jaded against Fulham — and it should be little wonder after the volume of minutes he has played in recent months. While he has been in good form generally, the Hungarian has barely been given a breather.
With making a big difference against his former club last weekend, the Liverpool number 19 should be in the team next weekend as the most advanced midfielder, even though by that point, there will be an argument that Szoboszlai has had the rest he needs. There is no midweek game, but even so, Elliott deserves an opportunity.
Similarly, injected some life into the attack when he was sent onto the field at Craven Cottage. The Colombian added some pace and energy into the forward line, though someone will have to miss out.
It was hard to argue against Cody Gakpo , but equally difficult to suggest that Diogo Jota, the matchwinner against Everton, shouldn't have played. The strongest case for someone coming out of the team is probably at the moment, but that simply isn't going to happen.
Someone has to miss out on starting and come off the bench, but Diaz clearly made a difference against Fulham. Against West Ham, his ability to inject some urgency in the final third might be required.
That would leave Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa sidelined again, but it appears unlikely that Slot will turn to either of them from the off. Despite after scoring in the Carabao Cup final, he has only played eight minutes since.
While the likes of Nunez and Chiesa are unlikely to provide the solution, Alisson, Bradley, Elliott and Diaz just might. On the most recent evidence, they should be four changes Slot makes next time out.
You may also like
Celebrity Big Brother fans spot 'terrible' technical fault - 'screwed up big time'
Paris fire: Dramatic pictures show huge flames in French capital as smoke fills sky
Texas stabbing: Alleged killer Karmelo Anthony raises $160,000 fund as sick conspiracy theories go viral
'Liverpool is risking becoming a laughing stock - I hope players realize that'
Famous UK seaside town's £6bn boost so world's largest cruise ships can stop there