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Slot is aware of complacency creeping into his squad for the match with Southampton, but Steve Nicol is not buying the Dutch coach’s comments about the Saints clash.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Speaking to the press on Friday ahead of Liverpool’s match with Southampton, Slot kept mentioning that the Merseyside club have ‘three finals’ this week.
Nicol was not buying into this phrase from the Liverpool boss and has stated on ESPN FC that the Reds should make changes against Southampton in order to be fresh for PSG and Newcastle.
He talked a good game there, but he’s not kidding anyone.”
Slot is predicted to make four changes to his Liverpool starting 11 on Saturday in preparation for next week as the Dutch coach is not a fan of making several for Premier League games.
There are many players in the Reds squad who will need their minutes managed throughout the remainder of the campaign, none more so than Ryan Gravenberch.
Gravenberch has been one of Slot’s biggest success stories at Liverpool this season as the Dutch star has thrived in the number six role at Anfield.
PlayerGamesMinutesVirgil van Dijk383417Mohamed Salah403396Ryan Gravenberch383241Alexis Mac Allister 392879Trent Alexander-Arnold372707Liverpool players with the most minutes played
Nicol is right in saying that Gravenberch needs a rest as the 22-year-old hasn’t been at the level he was at earlier in the season.
The Dutch star has been fine, however, Slot could get more out of the Dutch star over the coming weeks should he give the player a break against Southampton on Saturday.
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