Liverpool predicted line-up vs Newcastle as Arne Slot forced into right-back change

The Reds have injury concerns in defense with Jeremie Frimpong out and Conor Bradley's fitness uncertain. In midfield there is also a slight injury concern.

Liverpool predicted line-up vs Newcastle

Liverpool will be forced into at least one change for Monday’s eagerly anticipated Premier League encounter against Newcastle United.

The Reds began the campaign 10 days ago with a tough assignment at home to Bournemouth, which Arne Slot’s side won 4-2. But it did come at a cost, with Jeremie Frimpong replaced in the latter stages.

It has since emerged that he suffered a hamstring injury and won’t be available until September. A change is therefore required at right-back, with Conor Bradley the obvious candidate — but it’s unclear whether the academy graduate will be fit to start yet as he recovers from a summer knock that kept him out of the side in each of the first two matches of the season.

Joe Gomez could offer an alternative, although Slot admitted in his pre-match press conference that the defender has struggled to train fully since returning to the side against Bournemouth.

Should Bradley and Gomez miss out, it’s likely Wataru Endo will slot in at right-back. The Japan international was deployed in that role after Frimpong made way at Anfield in Liverpool’s last outing.

While right-back looks uncertain, the rest of Liverpool’s back five should be more settled. Alisson will almost certainly continue in net, behind Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, who have looked jittery in the early weeks of the season. At left-back, Milos Kerkez is likely to keep out Andy Robertson once again.

Gravenberch is expected to play in midfield against Newcastle

In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch is back, and Slot hinted his Dutch compatriot will return immediately to the starting line-up at St James Park, having missed the previous two games. Alexis Mac Allister, it was presumed, would partner him in midfield, but doubts have since been raised about his fitness.

Should he miss out, it’s likely Dominik Szoboszlai will start in the middle alongside Gravenberch.

Regardless, Florian Wirtz is expected to continue in the No. 10 role, that’s despite Slot saying he plans to deploy the 22-year-old as a false nine at times this season.

Ekitike turned down the chance to join Liverpool during the summer

As for the front three, that looks settled after Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo made scoring starts to the Premier League season against Bournemouth.

Ekitike could be in for a raucous reception after his decision to choose Liverpool over Newcastle this summer.

The likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Giovanni Leoni, Robertson, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Federico Chiesa are expected to be named on the bench, but Trey Nyoni, who has featured in each of the first matchday squads, won’t. The young midfielder played for Liverpool’s Under-21s earlier on Monday.

Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Endo, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitke, Gakpo