Liverpool predicted line-ups and teams for the League Cup clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening
Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool
Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool
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Phew. Just when we were getting worried Liverpool and Crystal Palace hadn't played each other for a few weeks, once again the two sides lock horns in the League Cup this evening.
Arne Slot's side are in a desperate run of form with five defeats in six, but Palace have similarly been failing to impress, having won only once since beating the Reds in dramatic fashion at Selhurst Park more than a month ago.
And here the ECHO writers consider how Liverpool could line up for the clash against the team that has already defeated them twice this season...
Paul Gorst
Perhaps the biggest question for Arne Slot to wrestle with for tonight's team selection is whether or not he goes strong or rotates heavily.
On one hand, picking his big names for this might offer them a chance to play themselves into some sort of form ahead of Saturday's visit from Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The other, however, says that Slot should keep as many first-team stars as possible fit and fresh for what is absolutely a must-win against the Villans this weekend.
So I am expecting changes and it could mean a first senior start for three years for Calvin Ramsay at right-back. His hour-long cameo in Sunday's mini Merseyside derby win was a hint that the young Scot could be involved and with Jeremie Frimpong sidelined, risking Conor Bradley feels dangerous.
Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez are my two centre-backs and there's a start for Milos Kerkez. Andy Robertson will be starting against Unai Emery's Villa.
In midfield Alexis Mac Allister could use the minutes and there's a start for Trey Nyoni also alongside the 2022 World Cup winner. Florian Wirtz plays further forward in an effort to get some confidence into his game.
Federico Chiesa starts wide right, Rio Ngumoha operates off the left and Hugo Ekitike leads the line with Alexander Isak wrapped up after his recent groin injury. Oh, and there's a Liverpool debut for Freddie Woodman.
My team (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Ramsay, Gomez, Endo, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Chiesa, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike.
Ian Doyle
Normally, tonight would be a case of putting out all the players who haven't featured that much recently and hoping they muddle their way through it, as happened at Brighton at this stage of the competition last season.
Liverpool, though, aren't really in a position where they can pick and choose which competitions they fancy going strong in. What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
There will be changes, but maybe not as many as would have been thought. In goal, I would give Freddie Woodman a go against his former club. He has enough experience for it not to be too much of an issue.
Milos Kerkez can continue at left-back on the basis that he won't be playing many of the next three games unless he improves his form, while Conor Bradley is the right-back as he needs minutes. Joe Gomez comes in at centre-back, and he can be partnered by Ibrahima Konate, who is among many players who needs to start showing more.
Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez warm up before a Carabao Cup tie for Liverpool
Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez are likely to start for Liverpool against Crystal Palace
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In midfield, Wataru Endo is one of the defensive options alongside Alexis Mac Allister, another player who would benefit from action. And I'd have Trey Nyoni in as the number 10 – although he and Mac Allister could swap around a bit.
Up top, Florian Wirtz can try again on the right flank, with Rio Ngumoha on the other wing and Federico Chiesa down the middle.
My team (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Bradley, Konate, Gomez, Kerkez; Endo, Mac Allister; Wirtz, Nyoni, Ngumoha; Chiesa.
Theo Squires
Arne Slot made wholesale changes for Liverpool's last League Cup tie against Southampton. We can expect a plethora of changes again against Crystal Palace, but he's going to have to dive a little deeper into his squad due to the Reds' injury woes.
Freddie Woodman debuts in goal, while Calvin Ramsay can come in at right-back for a first appearance for the club in three years. With Jeremie Frimpong injured and some mammoth games looming, it makes little sense to risk Conor Bradley from the start.
Liverpool are somewhat limited in reserve at centre-back, so Wataru Endo will have to partner Joe Gomez for this one while Andy Robertson comes in to captain the side.
Alexis Mac Allister can come back in in midfield and be partnered by Trey Nyoni, while Florian Wirtz continues at number 10. Another outing against Palace can't hurt as the German continues to adapt to English football.
With Alexander Isak an injury doubt, Federico Chiesa can start upfront with Hugo Ekitike instead of being wrapped up in cotton wool on the bench. That means Kieran Morrison can debut on the right-wing, with Rio Ngumoha completing the XI on the left.
My team (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Ramsay, Endo, Gomez, Robertson; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Morrison; Wirtz, Ngumoha; Chiesa.
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