Match Preview: Liverpool Set for Big Changes for Crucial Inter Milan Clash

Could we finally see Hugo Ekitike partner Alexander Isak upfront?

The drama around Mohamed Salah might be dominating the headlines, but the only thing that truly matters right now is Liverpool’s Champions League campaign. Heading into the San Siro with pressure mounting and confidence at rock bottom, this fixture against Inter Milan feels more like judgement day for Arne Slot.

Salah’s Absence

The decision to leave Mohamed Salah out of the squad for this match, while technically labelled as “common sense” by the club, feels more like a symbol of a fractured situation that has now completely spilled over. There’s no punishment, we’re told, but the absence of Salah from such a crucial game raises one unavoidable question — are Liverpool cutting off their nose to spite their face?

Slot has made it clear this season that standards matter more than sentiment. His decision to sideline Salah following the forward’s public expression of frustration reflects a commitment to authority over appeasement. But now, he has set his own standard and he must follow that. Underperforming players like Ibrahima Konate should be looking over their shoulder.

Liverpool’s Awful Form

Liverpool have won just four of their last 15 matches in all competitions, in a total collapse of form and performance. Slot’s team look disjointed, both creatively and defensively, with 10 goals conceded in recent games against Forest, PSV and City.

Ibrahima Konate, in particular, has become a liability. His decision-making and confidence are in tatters, and in the cold reality of elite football, reputation offers no shield from scrutiny. With Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley both fit and more consistent, Konate should be dropped for this one. Slot has drawn a line in the sand with Salah — he should do the same with underperforming players across the squad.

The bigger issue, however, lies in how Liverpool are set up. There’s an idea bubbling about shifting to a midfield diamond, more out of pure necessity than anything. With no wingers available, the usual shape cannot survive. Cody Gakpo is injured, and Frimpong is still sidelined. Federico Chiesa hasn’t travelled due to illness. Liverpool’s options are so thin that young Rio Ngumoha could be handed a start, not because he’s ready, but because there is simply no one else.

Liverpool Predicted XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk (C), Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak.

Inter Milan’s Threat

Inter Milan are no longer the nearly-men of Serie A. They are fluid, fearless and full of goals. With strikers who thrive on chaos and defenders who relish physical duels, they pose a particular threat to a Liverpool side that looks mentally drained and tactically unsure.

The fear is that Liverpool could be completely exposed in this one. Inter don’t need an invitation to dominate at home. They’ve been ruthless at the San Siro, and this version of Liverpool have shown an alarming tendency to fold when asked difficult questions. If Slot’s side goes behind early, you struggle to see any way back for the.

And the problem with that is this: a defeat here doesn’t just dent European ambitions. It throws the entire season into existential crisis. With Marseille away still to come, Liverpool’s progression in the competition hangs in the balance.

Arne Slot Has to Own This

Let’s not pretend this is a normal situation. Liverpool are barely holding things together on the pitch and in the dressing room. The manager is at odds with his most senior player. There’s friction behind the scenes. And yet, Slot has decided to stake it all on principle. Whilst some see it as admirable, the results must now follow.

Slot won the Premier League in his first season. That earns you credit. But credit doesn’t last long when performances nosedive and players start questioning the vision. The style is still unclear. The press is non-existent. The passing lacks purpose. And when fans are starting to describe the team as “badly coached”, you know something deeper is wrong.

If Slot’s system needs Salah out to flourish, then it had better flourish fast. Because right now, Liverpool look more broken with each passing game. The core structure is shaky, and unless it clicks on Tuesday, Slot’s grip on this squad will continue to loosen.

Score Prediction

Liverpool don’t have the quality, form or momentum to come away from the San Siro with three points. Even the most optimistic fan can see that. With key players missing and morale low, this feels like a defeat waiting to happen and even that feels generous.

Prediction: Inter Milan 2-1 Liverpool