Liverpool vs Ipswich early team news as Curtis Jones replacement 'hints' at Arne Slot call
Arne Slot has confirmed that midfielder Curtis Jones is unavailable for Liverpool against Ipswich Town after being substituted at half-time against Lille last time out in midweek.
Liverpool have hinted that playmaker Alexis Mac Allister will return to the starting line-up to replace the injured Curtis Jones against Ipswich Town. During his pre-match press conference, Arne Slot confirmed that the England international will not be available for the Reds this weekend.
Jones entered the starting line-up for Mac Allister during Tuesday night's win over Lille in the Champions League, assisting Mohamed Salah for the opening goal. However, he could not continue after half-time and the midfielder has to be substituted.
Ryan Gravenberch also came off at the break - with Harvey Elliott and Mac Allister coming on in a double change. Then, after Jonathan David equalised midway through the second half, Wataru Endo replaced Dominik Szoboszlai to make it all change in the middle.
Elliott soon scored the winning goal - thanks to a significant deflection off of Ngalayel Mukau's foot. However, the midfielder, seemingly, must settle for a spot on the substitutes bench.
That's because, on Saturday morning, the club's official social media accounts shared a matchday graphic featuring photos of Cody Gakpo, Mac Allister, Salah and Szoboszlai, alongside Slot. All-but Salah also shared similar posts on Instagram hours before kick-off, with Gravenberch being the fourth player to do so.
Therefore, that trio will assumedly at least be involved again versus Ipswich and potentially start at Anfield. If so, it would also be the same midfield three that started in the reverse fixture on the season's opening weekend.
Gakpo was on the bench that day, only appearing as a substitute, with Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Salah starting at Portman Road as the former and latter scored the Reds' goals. However, after not featuring from the bench midweek against Lille, he could make an 11th consecutive Premier League start by returning to Slot's starting XI back at home this afternoon against the Tractor Boys.