When Liverpool plays Toulouse in the Europa League tonight, they could gain from resting Mohamed Salah and another crucial first-team player. With a win, the Reds will secure their position in the knockout stages, giving them 12 points from four games.
In their most recent match, Liverpool defeated Toulouse 5-1, with goals from Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, and Salah. Jurgen Klopp fielded a much-changed lineup that day and may be tempted to do so again for the rematch in order to rest his senior players.
Salah might be among those rested for Liverpool’s next encounter after toiling in the weekend’s 0-0 draw against Luton Town. The Reds were made to fight hard for a point at Kenilworth Road, and they were far from their free-flowing best against the Hatters, with Salah among their most disappointing performers.
Dominik Szoboszlai struggled in the middle of the park as well and could be sidelined for tonight’s match against Toulouse, with Endo and Curtis Jones likely to start. The Hungarian playmaker has mostly performed for the Reds this season, but he struggled against Luton and may benefit from a rest ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Brentford.
Salah and Szoboszlai have been two of Liverpool’s most used players since the start of the season and would be greatly missed if they were to suffer any injuries in the coming weeks. The Merseyside giants would likely have enough to beat Toulouse whether or not the duo play, suggesting that Klopp may choose for a rotation tonight.
Liverpool appears to be making numerous changes across the board, as has been the case in their previous Europa League games this season. Caoimhin Kelleher is very expected to start in goal for the Reds, with the likes of Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimikas also in contention.
This season, Liverpool have made 96 personnel changes in 16 games in all competitions in an attempt to relieve pressure on their best players. Because they are playing in the Europa League against weaker opponents than they would face in the Champions League, Klopp has been able to use his entire team.
The workload of Liverpool’s first-choice Premier League starting, on the other hand, looked to catch up with them against Luton, who took full advantage to secure an important point at home. Rotation will remain an important component of Liverpool’s plan for the foreseeable future, with Klopp generally anticipated to make changes once more against Toulouse.
