Slot forced to leave £30m star out as Isak prepares for comeback: Liverpool's FA Cup predicted XI vs Man City
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Liverpool face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday knowing they need to put in a much better performance.The Reds were poor last time out against Brighton, and could be torn to shreds if they turn up with a display of similar quality.With Liverpool heading to PSG on Wednesday, and the Reds coming off the back of an international break, Arne Slot has some decisions to make with his starting XI. Here’s the team we think he’ll go for to put Liverpool in a first FA Cup semi-final since 2022.
He may be on the bench, but Slot might have to leave him out of the XI.Thankfully Liverpool have fewer problems at centre-back, where Ibrahima Konate will partner Virgil van Dijk, while it would be a surprise if Milos Kerkez did not start at left-back.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Arne Slot has a fix for how Liverpool can stop Jeremy Doku but fans might not like itMidfieldGiven the necessity of playing Szoboszlai at right-back, and a perceived falling out between Slot and Curtis Jones, predicting Liverpool’s midfield has become easier of late.Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are nailed on to start the Reds’ biggest games, and both should play here.Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz will hope to have a bigger impact at the Etihad after a disappointing showing in November. The German has had an excellent international break and Liverpool will need him to be at something approaching his best.
Who would you rather see as Liverpool’s manager next season? Photo Credit: Getty Images/Dan Mullan/UEFA/Peter Powell/AFP AttackIf Liverpool’s midfield has become easy to predict, then so too has the forward line, which will at least be bolstered by the return of Alexander Isak on Saturday.Slot has confirmed that Isak will not start against City, but the option to have him come off the bench is hugely positive.As he has been since the Swede broke his leg in December, Hugo Ekitike will be Liverpool’s central focal point, while Cody Gakpo is likely to play off the left.In what will be his final ever appearance against Manchester City as a Liverpool player, Mohamed Salah should get one last chance to inflict some pain on Pep Guardiola from the right of the Reds’ attack.Liverpool predicted XI vs Manchester CityJoin Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox