Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admits he has damaged together with his regular preparation strategies by planning for 2 matches on the identical time after naming a weakened squad in opposition to PSV Eindhoven.
His Champions League leaders, the one workforce to win all seven matches, are assured to complete no decrease than second and having assessed the potential implications for the final 16 he determined the return to his homeland was a sport he might gamble on.
Saturday’s journey to high-flying Bournemouth is essentially the most vital fixture this week as Liverpool look to keep up their six-point lead on the high and for that motive he has left 9 of the workforce who beat Ipswich 4-1 at house.
Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz have all been given Wednesday off to be able to have some much-needed downtime, with this the eight sport of 9 in 27 days.
Defender Joe Gomez has additionally remained at house after returning to coaching having missed seven matches with a hamstring harm.
Slot was requested if he was scared on the prospect of dealing with the Dutch champions and present Eredivisie leaders with out most of his main stars.
“I wouldn’t say I’m scared. It took me whereas to know this new format however I’m 100 per cent positive it doesn’t matter in any respect if we find yourself one or two; the end result has no significance,” he stated.
“We play PSV after which Bournemouth after which Tottenham (within the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final).
“I’m particularly engaged on PSV and Bournemouth and that is distinctive as usually I might solely be taking a look at PSV – however I’m taking a look at Bournemouth as nicely.
“All those who I left behind might have performed tomorrow however should you look again at our season virtually each three, 4 or 5 weeks we gave them a break if there was a second to offer them some freshness again.
“They are going to be off tomorrow, whether it is potential we choose to have them off three days earlier than a sport however it isn’t all the time potential, and some workers members will go house earlier on Thursday morning to coach people who have stayed behind.”
Among the many squad of 21 Slot has named are academy gamers Jayden Danns and Trey Nyoni, each of whom have made first-team appearances this season, Kieran Morrison, Isaac Mabaya, Trent Kone-Doherty, Amara Nallo, James Norris and James McConnell.
It leaves senior gamers Andy Robertson, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, former PSV ahead Cody Gakpo and 21-year-olds Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah bearing the accountability.
“As a result of we primarily begin with (the identical) 13 or 14 gamers have shared many of the enjoying time so it is rather helpful for people who haven’t performed as a lot to have 90 minutes,” added Slot.
“As a result of if we do have harm issues down the road then they are going to be wanted and it helps us for the long run.
“They don’t must show themselves, we all know the qualities of the gamers who’re going to play tomorrow.
“It could be unusual if the group had the identical stage as different video games however they have been in a position to win in opposition to Southampton and Brighton within the League Cup.
“And I made a decision to deliver Cody Gakpo. I do take into consideration some sentiment right here however he didn’t play in opposition to Lille final week.”
Gakpo is returning to Eindhoven, the place he spent 5 years, for the primary time since his January 2023 transfer to Merseyside.
“Fairly unusual,” he stated when he requested how it could really feel.
“I’ve by no means been within the away dressing room so it will likely be my first time. However when the sport begins I believe all these issues will fade away and we will likely be targeted on the sport and we’re going for the win.”
