Liverpool Gear Up for Spurs Rebound: Alisson Doubt and Lineup Shake-Up After Istanbul Blues

Liverpool head into Sunday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur desperate to shake off the midweek Champions League hangover. That 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul – the second time this season they've slipped up there – has left a bitter taste. Now, it's time to turn those frowns upside down against a Spurs outfit that's wobbling like a pensioner's walking frame after their own 5-2 thrashing at Atlético Madrid.

Arne Slot's lads know the stakes: a win keeps the Champions League qualification dream alive. But with one eye on the return leg in Turkey, rotation's the name of the game. Tottenham, staring down the barrel of relegation trouble, won't roll over easily – especially with Dominic Solanke itching to haunt his old club.

Injury Woes and Fitness Fingers Crossed

Top of the worry list? Alisson Becker. The Brazilian keeper's turned into more of a spectator than a shot-stopper lately, sidelined for the Istanbul flop. Slot's playing it cool, saying he's 'hopeful' the big man passes a late fitness test, but we've heard that one before. If not, expect Giorgi Mamardashvili to step up again after his heroic stops midweek.

Federico Chiesa sat out with a bug, not a bang, and could return – though probably warming the bench to ease back in. The long-term casualty ward remains packed: Alexander Isak, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni are all still patching up. Slot's got headaches elsewhere too – Mohamed Salah's recent Türkiye stinker might bench him, and rotation could spare Alexis Mac Allister, Joe Gomez, and Milos Kerkez for the big rematch.

It's like managing a squad of glass soldiers before an international break. Poor planning's left them stretched thin, but needs must.

Predicted Lineup: Fresh Legs and Bold Calls

Slot's set to tweak the 4-2-3-1 after that stale showing in Istanbul. In goal, Mamardashvili might get the nod if Alisson fails the test – the Georgian was a brick wall last time out.

Right-back sees Jeremie Frimpong potentially ousting Gomez for some zip down that predictable flank. Centre-back pairing? Ibrahima Konaté needs to ditch the error-prone vibes – he dodged a bullet with a dodgy offside call midweek – alongside evergreen Virgil van Dijk, who's started 29 straight games, echoing Jamie Carragher's marathon streak from yesteryear.

Andy Robertson could reclaim left-back from Kerkez after his benching. Midfield double pivot: Ryan Gravenberch grinds on relentlessly, joined by Dominik Szoboszlai to rest the knackered Mac Allister.

Up top, Salah might start to avoid drama, despite his right-wing woes masking recent goals. Florian Wirtz slots central as No.10 to torment Spurs' sieve defence. Cody Gakpo returns left, with Rio Ngumoha eyeing starts on form, and Hugo Ekitiké leads the line – fresh off netting at the Lane in December, ready to exploit Micky van de Ven's suspension.

Why This Matters – And a Bit of Banter

Spurs are there for the taking: humiliated in Madrid, leaking goals everywhere. Liverpool can't afford slip-ups if they want top-four. Slot's gambles on rotation could pay off or backfire spectacularly – Frimpong's energy versus Solanke's threat? Proper pub debate material.

Fancy another Ekitiké masterclass? Or will Salah silence the doubters? Tune in Sunday, and keep an eye on those fitness updates. For all the latest Liverpool gossip, transfers, and Reds ramblings, stick with TheFootball.News.

(Adapted from insights reported by SI Soccer)