The celebrations are still underway, and Liverpool is set to showcase their Premier League trophies later this month. Meanwhile, Arne Slot is already turning his attention to defending the title next season. “It’s the end of the season,” he remarked on Friday.
With that said, Liverpool’s head coach is looking to implement a “specific rotation” for the final four matches against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton, and Crystal Palace. Given that we relied on the same core group throughout the season, it makes sense to evaluate the potential changes that could occur.
The Succession of Alexander Arnold
There’s even a slight chance that Trent Alexander Arnold might convince Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to sign new contracts, but nothing is likely to happen until he commits to either Liverpool or Real Madrid. If he moves, it could signal a setback for Liverpool’s hopes of extending key contracts.
If Liverpool does lose that battle, Connor Bradley may find himself getting some playing time, as slots are certainly in demand in Northern Ireland. The 21-year-old has demonstrated the talent and attitude needed to step in for Alexander Arnold if he makes the switch to Madrid. Liverpool has a history of boosting academy talent, after all.
However, Bradley needs regular game time to really prove himself. He recently missed a match due to a training ground injury, which has created some doubt about his readiness for Chelsea on Sunday. He had just returned from his second hamstring issue of the season, and his longest run in the team has only been two games. He’s been substituted in six of his eleven starts across competitions.
Competing twice a week at this level is a considerable challenge. As Slot mentioned, “It’s crucial for him to become an even better player by playing consistently. Unfortunately, he’s competing with another world-class fullback at the club, like Trent Alexander Arnold.”
“I think his next step is to play regularly and embrace the pressure. Eventually, it might not feel like pressure anymore. But as long as Trent is around, that step is going to be tricky for him.”
Give Endo and Elliott Their Due
While there’s no room for sentiment in the title race, Slot decided to show some appreciation recently. In the closing moments against Spurs, he brought on Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, and Darwin Núñez, spreading the glory of the title around the team. He could go even further and start Elliott, who deserves it.
Despite consistent praise from Slot, neither player has started a Premier League match this season, which has led to some understandable frustration. Their attitude and dedication have been top-notch, yet they’ve been overshadowed by more obvious opportunities, like starting against Southampton at home.
Endo and Elliott are crucial players for any title-winning team, and starting them would be a fitting way for Slot to acknowledge their contributions. It’s not just a sentimental gesture; putting Elliott in the No. 10 role against a strong opponent would serve as a useful exercise for the manager. Similarly, building connections with Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, or Ryan Gravenberch could prove beneficial as Liverpool contemplates options this summer.
Decision Time on Chiesa
Last summer, Liverpool had the chance to acquire Italian international Federico Chiesa for £12.5 million, a gamble that hasn’t truly paid off. With just four appearances in the Premier League, he hasn’t made a start or scored during the title-winning campaign.
When he arrived at Merseyside, Chiesa wasn’t in peak condition, having had a frozen-out spell at Juventus. He was signed as a backup for Mohamed Salah, but there seems to be little chance Slot will rest Salah, especially as he looks to solidify his standing as a top scorer and win the European Golden Boot.
But what if Chiesa gets a long-awaited chance in a more central role? He did score when introduced against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool will be eyeing new forwards this summer, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Núñez and Jota’s futures. Chiesa might find that his place hinges on his effectiveness as a secondary forward.
Trialing Tactical Changes
Slot’s strong conviction in his methods has led him to rarely stray from his game plan. In fact, he has already ruled out tactical changes for the match at Stamford Bridge. “There won’t be tactical alterations,” Slot stated on Friday. “We’ve had only a few training sessions, and changing tactics now would be confusing.”
So, what does he aim to achieve in the final week of the season? “We can assess a player in a specific position and evaluate how they perform in that role alongside another player,” Slot explained. “It’s not a major shift, and we won’t have seven or eight new starters. It’ll basically stay the same, but we’ll see how some players adapt in a challenging game against Chelsea and how they’re progressing.” Jarell Quansah and Elliott could benefit from this approach as Slot begins preparing for next season.
