{"id":449300,"date":"2025-09-25T01:55:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T01:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/449300\/"},"modified":"2025-09-25T01:55:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T01:55:12","slug":"arne-slot-to-make-major-liverpool-changes-as-hugo-ekitike-ban-forces-alexander-isak-rethink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/449300\/","title":{"rendered":"Arne Slot to make major Liverpool changes as Hugo Ekitike ban forces Alexander Isak rethink"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A look at how Liverpool might line up when they are hosted by Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_GettyImages-2237022765.jpg\" alt=\"Alexander Isak could be poised to make his first Premier League start for Liverpool\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Alexander Isak could be poised to make his first Premier League start for Liverpool(Image: Stu Forster\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">With Liverpool&#8217;s next assignment coming in the Premier League, wholesale changes are once more expected for Arne Slot this weekend. The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/barclays-premier-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Premier League<\/a> champions and current leaders are aiming to make it seven successive victories across three competitions when they are entertained by unbeaten Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">And having allowed many of his big guns the night off in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/match-reports\/alexander-isak-plan-accelerates-liverpool-32536882\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Tuesday&#8217;s 2-1 win over Southampton<\/a> in the Carabao Cup, expect several to look suitably refreshed in south London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">That will include <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/alisson\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Alisson BeckerLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Alisson Becker<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/virgil-van-dijk\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Virgil van DijkLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Virgil van Dijk<\/a>, who were two of the club&#8217;s contingent who flew out to Paris for Monday night&#8217;s Ballon d&#8217;Or ceremony. The influential duo will return to the side alongside <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/ibrahima-konate\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Ibrahima KonateLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibrahima Konate<\/a>, while <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/milos-kerkez\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Milos KerkezLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Milos Kerkez<\/a>, a substitute on Tuesday, is expected to start at left-back.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/giovanni-leoni-injury-liverpool-breaking-32543140\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32543140\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool fearing serious Giovanni Leoni injury as Arne Slot to give update<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/federico-chiesa-shares-true-feelings-32540763\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32540763\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federico Chiesa shares true feelings on Liverpool Champions League snub and terrace anthem<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-fc\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"LiverpoolLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Liverpool<\/a> head coach<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/arne-slot\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" SlotLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> Slot<\/a> has a bit of a dilemma on the right side, with both <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/jeremie-frimpong\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Jeremie FrimpongLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Jeremie Frimpong<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/conor-bradley\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Conor BradleyLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Conor Bradley<\/a> vying for the spot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Expect a late call on that one but it would be no shock if Bradley, a second-half sub at <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/anfield\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Anfield<\/a>, gets the nod over the Netherlands international.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">In midfield, the vitally important <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/ryan-gravenberch\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Ryan GravenberchLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Ryan Gravenberch<\/a> will return and then it is three into two with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/alexis-mac-allister\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Alexis Mac AllisterLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Alexis Mac Allister<\/a>, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/dominik-szoboszlai\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Dominik SzoboszlaiLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Dominik Szoboszlai<\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/florian-wirtz\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Florian WirtzLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Florian Wirtz<\/a> all vying for a spot in the engine room.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Wirtz may be recalled after sitting out Tuesday&#8217;s game on the back of a substitute appearance in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/match-reports\/liverpool-everton-arne-slot-arsenal-32517856\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Merseyside derby on Saturday<\/a>, while Mac Allister, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/alexis-mac-allister-supported-liverpool-32541148\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">who became a father this week<\/a>, will be aiming to take another step toward 100% fitness after a truncated pre-season programme.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Szoboszlai has been one of the form players of the fledgling season to date, though, so omitting the Hungary captain would feel a harsh call at this stage, particularly having enjoyed a week off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Up top, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/mohamed-salah\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Mohamed SalahLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Mohamed Salah<\/a> will return and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/alexander-isak\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Alexander IsakLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Alexander Isak<\/a> will likely start the game having taken another step forward in his efforts to get up to speed on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The Sweden international played the first half, which means he now has close to 150 minutes under his belt since May, and while Slot will ideally prefer the \u00a3125m from the bench, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/hugo-ekitike\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Hugo EkitikeLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Hugo Ekitike<\/a>&#8216;s suspension has thrown a spanner in the works.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">The France international was sent off against the Saints for removing his shirt in celebration late on when already on a booking and it&#8217;s a <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/sport\/football\/football-news\/liverpool-boss-arne-slot-slams-32536904\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">decision that has been criticised by Slot<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">It means Isak will be tasked with leading the line for the first time in the Premier League as a Liverpool player, barring a surprise from his manager.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/federico-chiesa\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Federico ChiesaLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Federico Chiesa<\/a> was excellent against Southampton, with his work rate and quality combining but his two assists, it must be stressed, did come against a struggling second-tier side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">So, the question is: does Slot trust Chiesa to build on that display at Selhurst Park in a significant way?<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"liverpoolecho\">Given the Italy international was not in the squad for the Merseyside derby, a spot on the bench might be more realistic. Isak, despite being short of 100%, feels like a safer bet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A look at how Liverpool might line up when they are hosted by Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoonAlexander&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":449301,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8815],"tags":[9261,748,393,4884,5759,179,763,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-449300","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-liverpool","8":"tag-alexander-isak","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-england","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-hugo-ekitike","13":"tag-liverpool","14":"tag-liverpool-fc","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115262450810784279","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/449300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=449300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/449300\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/449301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=449300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=449300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=449300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}