Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admits he has damaged along with his traditional preparation strategies by planning for 2 matches on the similar time after naming a weakened squad towards PSV Eindhoven.
His Champions League leaders, the one staff 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 probably the most important fixture this week as Liverpool look to take care of their six-point lead on the prime and for that cause he has left 9 of the staff who beat Ipswich 4-1 at residence.
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 residence after returning to coaching having missed seven matches with a hamstring harm.
Slot was requested if he was scared on the prospect of going through 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 grasp 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 outcome 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’d solely be taking a look at PSV – however I’m taking a look at Bournemouth as effectively.
“All those who I left behind might have performed tomorrow however when 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 attainable we want to have them off three days earlier than a sport however it’s not at all times attainable, and some employees members will go residence earlier on Thursday morning to coach those 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 duty.
“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 those 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 degree as different video games however they have been in a position to win towards Southampton and Brighton within the League Cup.
“And I made a decision to carry Cody Gakpo. I do take into consideration some sentiment right here however he didn’t play towards 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 feel all these issues will fade away and we shall be centered on the sport and we’re going for the win.”
