There will most likely be a much-changed Liverpool starting XI for this afternoon’s FA Cup third round clash against Accrington Stanley.
This will be the Reds’ third game in seven days, with a Premier League double-header next week. Arne Slot will almost certainly rotate his lineup substantially, specifically at home against a team that is 19th in Ligue 2.
Among those who seem ready to sign up for the team is Conor Bradley, who has started every Carabao Cup game he’s played this season and is eager to make up for lost time after his recent hamstring injury.
The Northern Ireland international spoke with the official Liverpool FC website on Friday ahead of today’s FA Cup clash, and he’s taken the opportunity to send a pointed message to his boss when it comes to selecting the starting line-up against Accrington.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m really happy to be back. Obviously it was unfortunate to get the injury whenever I did, I felt like I was in a good moment, especially after the Real Madrid game, but I’ve worked hard, got myself back fit and I’m happy to have played the last two games. Hopefully I get a runout tomorrow as well.
“It’s tough when you’ve been away for so long – six weeks. It’s hard to get back into the swing of things and start playing again, but I enjoy being back. Obviously I missed it a lot while I was away, so I’m pleased to be back.
“There are still a lot of games to play this year, so there will be a lot of opportunities to have the possibility to play. I just have to keep going and keep running hard.
Despite starting opposite Tottenham midweek, Bradley retired after an hour of that game, which may simply be a pre-planned substitution via Slot with today’s game in mind.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will most likely stay fresh during the all-important Premier League in hot Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night, and with his assistant right-back needing a few minutes to get back to fitness, it would be very best. It would be that our number 84 starts this afternoon.
It is possible that other Liverpool players who have played a lot this season will enter the starting eleven opposite Accrington, which would be ideal to offer welcome playing time to Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa.
Academy talents such as Amara Nallo, Trey Nyoni and the much-loved Rio Ngumoha may also be allocated minutes, with Slot set to blend the group amid a busy schedule for the Reds.
For many of those who will get the call today, it will possibly be seen as an audition for more normal minutes in the starting lineup, so let’s hope those who show up make the most of their opportunity and step up. The coach gives him ideas for the next games.
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