Arne Slot is about to test his Liverpool squad‘s depth as they gear up for a hectic schedule of three games in just eight days.
After a relatively quiet summer, the Reds are entering a critical phase in their season.
Liverpool’s summer transfer window was calm as the club transitioned from the Jurgen Klopp era. Slot chose to stick with the core squad he inherited, except a late signing—Federico Chiesa from Juventus.
The Italian forward has yet to make his debut but could get his first taste of action when Liverpool travel to the San Siro for their Champions League opener against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Matches between these two storied clubs are steeped in history, reminiscent of Liverpool’s European glory that defined the early days of Klopp’s tenure.
Slot now has the chance to make his mark in Europe’s top competition, a feat he couldn’t achieve in his previous managerial roles.
However, his immediate focus is on getting Liverpool back on track following their surprising defeat to Nottingham Forest. Losses at Anfield have been rare in recent years, making this setback a stark “reality check,” as Virgil van Dijk described it.
The Dutch defender was one of the most vocal figures during the recent training sessions at Liverpool’s Kirby base.
Klopp often expressed frustration over the demanding fixture schedule that comes with managing a top English club, and now Slot faces the same challenge.
The new boss has relied on a consistent front three—Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota—for the opening four games of the season.
With the fixture list tightening, Slot may need to rotate his lineup, having used just 12 starting players so far. Fortunately, he has plenty of firepower to choose from, especially in attack.
Cody Gakpo has shown flashes of his potential, but it’s Darwin Nunez who has been the most inconsistent. Liverpool’s record signing has displayed moments of brilliance as well as frustrating inconsistency, making this period crucial for him to impress his new manager.
Nunez’s performance in training reflected his determination, although his finishing has been the main area of criticism. Meanwhile, Chiesa provides another dynamic option, having made a name for himself as a standout in Serie A.
After their Champions League clash, Liverpool will look to bounce back in the Premier League as they take on Bournemouth.
The Reds will aim to replicate their dominant 9-0 victory from two seasons ago and keep pace with the league leaders.
Next Wednesday, Liverpool will also begin their Carabao Cup title defense. Last season’s victory in this competition at Wembley marked the final trophy of Klopp’s tenure, with a youthful Liverpool side edging out Chelsea.
This year, they face a tough draw against West Ham, although hosting the game at Anfield should ease the travel burden.
Slot knows that if he manages to secure a trophy and guide Liverpool to a top-four finish, his debut season will be considered a success, quelling the concerns that followed Klopp’s departure.
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