Changes possible but Slot may stand by his regulars

AFTER Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2019/20, Jurgen Klopp used the opportunity to dive deeper into his squad.

- By THEO SQUIRES

The German used 24 players in the English top-flight that season, as the Reds were crowned champions with seven games left to play.

Only Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez started every dead-rubber. And with Klopp rotating, Curtis Jones and Neco Williams automatically qualified for winners’ medals courtesy of their contributions once the title was won.

Four of Jones’ six Premier League appearances that year came during this period, including his full debut. Meanwhile, Klopp handed Williams his top-flight debut during such a run as the Welshman went on to start three of his six appearances.

Elsewhere, four of Naby Keita’s nine Premier League starts (and seven of his 18 appearances) that year came from the final seven games. Likewise, four of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s 17 starts came during such a run.

Half of Takumi Minamino’s 10 Premier League outings and two starts also came once the league was won, while two of Divock Origi’s seven starts also came with nothing on the line. And while Harvey Elliott failed to add to his top-flight outings, the then 17-year-old was included in all but one matchday squad as he gained vital experience.

Admittedly, such rotation was partly influenced by the Premier League returning to action after a three-month break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.