Salah Benched as Liverpool Shake Up Starting XI for Crucial Inter Clash at San Siro
Liverpool face a massive Champions League test ahead and they'll willingly be missing the player who has orchestrated so much triumph in these situations throughout the years.
Mohamed Salah's fiery remarks following Saturday's 3–3 stalemate against Leeds United have led to the Egyptian remaining at home as the Reds make their way to Milan on Tuesday evening.
Arne Slot has chosen to move away from complete dependence on Salah in recent matches, with the Liverpool legend featuring for only 45 minutes across the Reds' last three fixtures. The outcomes have been far from impressive, but Slot has at least halted the decline.
Now, they're traveling to face last season's Champions League runners-up seeking an improbable victory. Here's the squad Slot might select without Salah available.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Inter (4-2-3-1)
GK: Alisson—Should Liverpool secure what would be an unexpected win in Milan, they may need a classic Alisson performance.
RB: Conor Bradley—Bradley came back from injury over the weekend, and his ease in attacking positions means the flow down the right flank should improve without Salah.
CB: Joe Gomez—The error-prone Ibrahima Konaté must be dropped from the starting eleven, with the Frenchman again hurting his side on Saturday evening. Gomez provides a capable alternative.
CB: Virgil van Dijk—Konaté's unreliability hasn't assisted Van Dijk, who's also enduring a difficult campaign. Inter will look to exploit the Dutchman's struggles.
LB: Milos Kerkez—Slot's receiving minimal contribution from his two left-back options this season, so his choice on Tuesday evening is relatively inconsequential. Return soon, Kostas Tsimikas!
CM: Ryan Gravenberch—The cornerstone of Liverpool's squad earns selection automatically. Maintaining positional structure in midfield is crucial against an Inter team that shifts fluidly and frequently vacates central spaces to create passing opportunities for their forwards.
CM: Curtis Jones—Jones merits retaining his spot ahead of Alexis Mac Allister, who might struggle physically in Milan. Jones, though not an athletic marvel, will at least help Liverpool withstand pressure and advance play.
RW: Dominik Szoboszlai—The partnership with Gomez was sluggish, but Bradley's comeback should benefit Szoboszlai in this position. The Hungarian netted Liverpool's third goal at the weekend.
AM: Florian Wirtz—Wirtz's moments of brilliance are becoming more regular, and the German has typically appeared more settled in this tournament versus the Premier League while wearing Liverpool colors.
LW: Hugo Ekitiké—Slot seldom plays without Cody Gakpo, but it's time for the Dutchman to be benched. Instead, Ekitiké could operate in a flexible left-sided role that would enable him to collaborate closely with Liverpool's striker.
ST: Alexander Isak—Isak came on as a substitute on Saturday while Ekitiké found the net twice. We've seldom witnessed them combine this season, but this match could provide that opportunity.
