However, Slot is more likely to maintain Isak in reserve for the second half – which is the good play, in equity, given the Swede’s restricted recreation time – and deploy Wirtz on the left-hand aspect of the ahead line.
There is actually benefit to such an method. Liverpool don’t desire to depart themselves uncovered in midfield – arguably PSG’s strongest space – so we might effectively see Szoboszlai within the No.10 function, simply forward of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch within the midfield pivot.
Nonetheless, whereas the Reds cannot afford to be reckless, they do have to be daring – and meaning placing Wirtz in his greatest place, whereas on the identical time letting Ngumoha loose on the left wing.
With his fantastic imaginative and prescient and great approach, Wirtz hyperlinks the play like no one else in Slot’s aspect and whereas it was on no account an ingenious help, the move from which Ngumoha finally broke the impasse in opposition to Fulham after a succession of stepovers was tellingly offered by Liverpool’s most artistic participant.
Those two potential superstars want to be given as a lot time to do as a lot injury as doable in opposition to PSG, as a result of if the Reds are going to harm the European champions, they are going to have to hit them with every little thing they have.
This is not any time for half-measures – or hanging about. Liverpool have to go full-throttle from the primary whistle and meaning sacrificing a number of the management Slot loves so as to embrace somewhat of the previous anarchy championed by his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
The greatest method to create that local weather of chaos would be to add Ngumoha into the combo. He’s Liverpool’s wild card, the unknown amount from PSG’s perspective, a possible tie-changer who’s already lifted a number of the negativity round Anfield along with his efficiency on the weekend.
As Steve Nicol pointed out after the win over Fulham, in a season of virtually relentless negativity, the Reds have been desperately “searching for positives – and Ngumoha is a positive. He scares defenders”. The hope must be that Slot will not be afraid to begin him on Tuesday night time.
