Liverpool line-ups for Crystal Palace as difficult Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz decisions made

Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon as they look to maintain their 100% winning start to the season at Crystal Palace. But Arne Slot will have to make at least one change to his side from last weekend’s Merseyside derby victory over Everton.

The Reds are without Hugo Ekitike for the trip to Selhurst Park following his dismissal in the League Cup win over Southampton in midweek, ensuring Liverpool will have to start a Premier League match without the in-form forward for the first time this season.

Slot has alternative options at least, with Alexander Isak pushing to make his full league debut for the club while Federico Chiesa put in a man of the match performance with two assists against the Saints.

The Reds head coach also has a decision to make in midfield, with Florian Wirtz pushing for a recall after dropping to the bench against Everton. Elsewhere, Liverpool’s centre-back options have been depleted after Giovanni Leoni suffered an ACL injury on his full debut.

Slot made 11 changes from the side that beat Everton against Southampton, and is set to name a much-changed side once more as he reverts to his first-choice players, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch all being afforded the night off on Tuesday.

With plenty for the Dutchman to weigh up ahead of naming his side to face Palace, here’s what our Liverpool writers think Slot should do in the capital…

Paul Gorst

The first question, following Hugo Ekitike’s suspension, is how much Arne Slot prepares to deviate from his detailed plan for Alexander Isak long-term fitness at Selhurst Park?

The Sweden international is not yet ready to play 90 minutes in the Premier League, Slot confirmed on Friday, so how long is enough? An hour to 70 minutes feels like the best bet with Federico Chiesa now waiting in the wings with Ekitike out.

Cody Gakpo may be asked the lead the line in Isak’s absence but Slot has rarely moved the Netherlands forward out of his favoured wide left spot.

In midfield, it’s a case of four into three. Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch might all be pushing for inclusions on the form of last week’s Merseyside derby but Florian Wirtz will also be keen to feature after a week off and a spot inside the Ballon d’Or awards’ top 30 players in the world on Monday night. The Germany star can be the cavalry in south London.

I expect Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez to return at right and left-back, respectively. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are the centre-halves.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Isak.

Theo Squires

Arne Slot has seemingly suggested that Alexander Isak is fit enough to start for the second game in a row, so that solves the dilemma of who starts upfront against Crystal Palace in the absence of the suspended Hugo Ekitike. Federico Chiesa will have to make do with an outing off the bench.

Competition is rife in midfield, with Slot now fitting five players into three positions following Curtis Jones‘ return from injury. Florian Wirtz was the man to drop to the bench against Everton, but I’d recall the German at number 10 for this one.

Instead, Alexis Mac Allister can be limited to substitute duty as he continues to get up to speed after long-term injury with Dominik Szoboszlai dropping deeper to partner Ryan Gravenberch.

Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Alisson Becker all return, and the rotation in both full-back positions also continues. Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez come back in for this one, with Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson instead held back for starts against Galatasaray on Tuesday night.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Ian Doyle

Liverpool seem to be playing Crystal Palace an awful lot this season and they’re at it again this afternoon at Selhurst Park.

What, though, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do? He made 11 changes in midweek against Southampton in the League Cup, and he’s likely to make almost as many again.

Alisson Becker returns in goal with Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. Conor Bradley is the right-back with Milos Kerkez in at left-back.

In midfield, it’s a tricky one. But I’d have Dominik Szoboszlai alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base with Florian Wirtz as the number 10.

In attack, one player who stays in is Alexander Isak, who is joined by Cody Gakpo on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right. Federico Chiesa can then pop on for the final 20 minutes or so.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Liverpool line-ups for Crystal Palace as difficult Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz decisions made

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