Arne Slot hints three Liverpool stars could be dropped vs Southampton

Liverpool boss Arne Slot is set to closely assess the condition of his South American contingent following their exhausting international duties.

The Reds face a crucial period with back-to-back clashes against European giants Real Madrid and domestic rivals Manchester City on the horizon.

Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez have returned from playing for Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay, and each faced demanding schedules over the break.

Slot has made it clear that he’s taking a cautious approach with his team selections, particularly keeping tabs on the recently returned trio: “I will particularly keep an eye on the players that have come back from South America – and that is not only Macca.

“It’s also Darwin and Lucho. You have to keep an eye on them, especially the ones who played twice for 90 minutes.

“You see how they are doing, how fit they are, you talk to them a bit more about how they feel – more than I do with the ones who played in Europe.”

Slot also expressed admiration for Southampton manager Russell Martin, despite the Saints struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table.

Slot has aligned with Pep Guardiola in praising the Southampton boss for remaining true to his tactics despite facing criticism. “I have a lot of respect for Russell – but I would admire any manager that has different principles and just keeps on doing what he believes in,” Slot commended.

“I don’t think it’s about being an elite manager. I think that as a manager you have to believe in something – and, in my opinion, stick to that plan.

“If your plan is that you want to defend the whole game or all season, then stick to that plan, because you believe in it.

“You are trying to convince your players that that is the way to go. So, if after four, five, six weeks, you completely change your idea about football, that doesn’t send the right signal to your players. At least that’s what I think.

“Russell has his own style and he believes in it – and no-one knows for sure that if he or the club changed the playing style that it would lead to more points.

“What we do know is that he was really successful with Southampton last season because he brought them back up.

“They have been in with a chance of taking points from every game I have seen Southampton play because Russell makes it really hard for every team to play against them.

“Normally, teams that go up need some time to adapt to a new league. If you have a good idea about football and a good game-plan, then results will come.”

Guardiola was full of praise for Southampton’s performance against the champions at the Etihad last month, despite eventually losing to Erling Haaland’s goal. Just weeks before, the Saints had taken the lead at Arsenal, only to concede three goals.

Southampton finally secured their first Premier League win by defeating Everton at the beginning of the month, and their confidence was further boosted when they reached the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup by beating Stoke.

These victories followed rumours that Russell’s job was under threat.

Slot continued: “I don’t admire Russell just for his style of play, but I do like to watch Southampton’s games back that they played at Manchester City or Arsenal – or the other games where I see very interesting and smart patterns of play.

“It was interesting to watch his teams play in terms of style of play but also in terms of a game-plan. How they handled the press of City or how they handled the press of Arsenal, or Wolves.

“A lot has been said about British managers lately, with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel (as England coach). But I faced Gary O’Neil, who had a very good game-plan with Wolves in my opinion – and this is again a very interesting manager.

“In two or three weeks, I will face Eddie Howe, who I know already is a very good manager. Maybe you are not in as bad a place as people make out.”