The upcoming Merseyside derby will feature Curtis Jones in the key position of right-back, as officially affirmed by Arne Slot. The decision comes as a result of sidelining Conor Bradley and placing Jarell Quansah on the sidelines. Jones fittingly steps into the right-back spot, marking the only alteration from the initial team lineup used in the Carabao Cup final. Slot chose to adapt his formation owing to the insufficient recovery of Bradley and the unfortunate injuries of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, thereby leading to a characteristically midfield player occupying a defensive position.
Slot reflected on the previous Goodison derby, recognizing a shortage of opportunities to score for both sides. He stressed the need for increased possession efficiency, particularly when the ball is active on the pitch. On this basis, he entrusted Jones with the full-back role with the belief that he could enhance their performance.
Interestingly, Jones had already had the experience of commencing the game as a right-back, leading the team to a 3-1 triumph against Leicester in a past season of Carabao Cup. His brief encounters in the same role against Arsenal and Brighton in 2020 have additionally contributed to his profile as a capable right-back.
Klopp, in past discussions, had contemplated the possibility of Jones taking over the right-back position, his decision primarily driven by Jones’s refined understanding of the game. He believed that Jones’ enjoyment and ease in maintaining ball possession would serve the team well, making him a viable candidate for the position.
He elaborated further on Jones’s superior performance in a position unfamiliar to him. Despite this being the first time for Jones, he handled it proficiently according to Klopp, proving his versatility on the field.
Another unexpected change in Slot’s team setup was the introduction of Caoimhin Kelleher as the chosen goalkeeper, with Alisson nowhere to be found in the lineup. This decision emerged due to an apprehension involving Alisson’s health following a concussion test that he underwent recently.
Slot elaborated on their commitment to adhere strictly to the club’s safety protocols, which included a systematic health assessment for Alisson. As he expressed, Alisson failed to clear the final stage of the required checks which led to his unavailability for the game.
Slot reassured fans with the confidence that Kelleher had exhibited his formidable capabilities throughout the season, suggesting he may be underutilized as merely Alisson’s substitute, thus emphasizing Kelleher’s readiness for the upcoming challenge.