6 Liverpool players who need a performance vs Accrington as Arne Slot makes feelings clear

If you're in search of FA Cup magic this weekend then the meeting of Liverpool and near neighbours Accrington Stanley has got a fair old sprinkling of the stuff.

The day should be about the League Two outfit - a side full of Liverpool fans - getting their big day out at Anfield, but Arne Slot will also know that the fixture could serve as a crucial one for several of his squad players.

Having failed to beat Manchester United in the Premier League and Tottenham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals Slot is suddenly facing some tough questions, and he could do with some more of his players stepping up.

His team selection for the 12.15pm kick-off promises to be an intriguing one, and it will feature several players who could do with making their mark as the stakes get higher for Liverpool this season as they go for glory on all four fronts. Here are six Reds for whom Saturday could be a big day, and some who frankly need it to be.

Harvey Elliott

Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Elliott was probably Liverpool's outstanding player in pre-season, and he looked to have carved out a role as the No.10 in the new boss' revamped midfield. It was then something of a surprise to see him play just seven minutes of the opening three games of the Premier League campaign, before he fractured a foot with England under-21s.

He's been playing catch-up ever since, but despite a start and a goal in the Carabao Cup win at Southampton he has still been unable to force his way into the starting XI, which has suddenly led to transfer links with Brighton and the Bundesliga. A big game on Saturday is needed to remind everyone of his talents.

Slot says (at Friday's press conference): "He is talented, been that for so long. Recent weeks he's been in a lot but like it is for all the others, they are in competition with the others. He was unlucky he got injured and was out for a long time. What I have seen for all players injured, in this league, with the quality, it is not so easy to come back and be at your best immediately.

"I see it with Harvey and all the other players who have been out six or seven weeks. We need to find the balance between playing time to get them back to their best but also be able to win. If you are 5-0 up you can give them long time, half an hour or so but we don't win like that [a lot]."

Federico Chiesa

Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

An obvious one this, as Liverpool's sole summer signing has only appeared for the club four times to date - with just one start. The Reds have taken a softly-softly approach towards building the Italian winger back up to fitness, but if he doesn't start this one surely questions have to be asked.

Chiesa's Liverpool career has been stop-stop more than stop-start, but if he can get an hour or so under his belt here then he could start being the genuine squad option he was signed to be in the summer.

Slot says (at Friday's press conference): It’s not only been difficult for him in terms of match fitness, it’s also that he has to compete with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah.

“Everybody here knows the numbers Mo Salah brings in. There’s not many times a reason to take him out during a game or before a game. It’s not only about Federico when we are talking about him being limited in his playing time. It’s also about the others.

“But in terms of Federico it definitely has to do with the way he came in, the rest were already training a lot and we had to bring him up in terms of match fitness. It’s a combination of reasons why he didn’t play that much yet but let’s wait and see in the upcoming weeks and months if he’s able to help us because the second half of the season is even more important than the first.”

Darwin Nunez

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

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The drop-off in Nunez's form this season has now reached alarming levels, with the Uruguayan forward devoid of the confidence that can make him such a potent weapon on his day.

It's now just four goals in 25 appearances this season, which is poor enough on its own but when you factor in the fact he's been booked more times (six) it looks even uglier. Granted a lot of those have been substitutes' appearances as Liverpool chase a goal, but unless he starts hitting the net soon he'll continue to be an enigma.

Slot says (before the Fulham game on December 14): "For me, he has impact. If you only look at goals, he hasn't scored the amount of goals that he wants to score, or we want a number nine to score, but he does have impact in his work-rate. He's part of a team that scores a lot of goals and is winning a lot.

"Of course, as a number nine you want to score more goals and that's definitely what he wants as well. But I'm not only judging Mohamed Salah on his goals and Darwin on his goals - I also judge them on their work-rate and what they bring to the team. The fans support him so much that maybe he wants it too much."

Diogo Jota

Image: Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock) Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)

The heat is on in the centre-forward position for Liverpool, with neither Nunez or Jota convincing the manager that they can be the long-term answer in that position, something which has seen Slot - who cut an angry figure as he yelled at Jota at Tottenham - turn to Luis Diaz in the role.

The idea of pressure being on Jota might be a surprise to some, as when he is fit he is a wonderful finisher, but it is getting him fit which is the issue, and right now it would be no shock if Liverpool spend big on a forward Slot really wants in the summer. The manager might have to get creative to get Nunez and Jota on the pitch here, but both will be desperate for goals.

Slot says (after Jota's winner at Palace on October 5): “He puts a lot of effort in, but apart from putting a lot of effort in, he works in a smart way. “Without the ball, he works really hard, like all the others, but with the ball, he always understands when to drop, when to play deep, and a bit higher. He has a lot of tactical knowledge, and that helps us in certain parts of the game."

Jarell Quansah and Dominik Szoboszlai

Image: CameraSport via Getty Images) CameraSport via Getty Images)

Two players who need a good game purely down to circumstance are Quansah and Szoboszlai, who were both hit with bouts of illness in the past week. Centre-back Quansah - who has seen his importance increase in Joe Gomez's absence - was forced off at Tottenham, while Szoboszlai's influence was sorely missed against both Manchester United and Spurs.

Getting both in the starting XI on Saturday will surely be Slot's aim, with Szoboszlai's presence in particular set to be key in the Premier League games ahead.

Slot says (at Friday's press conference): "Every game is an opportunity for the players to play. Dom trained with under 21s yesterday, and Jarell was a bit ill last week. As a result I had to take him off but I'm expecting him to be available."

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