Andoni Iraola pictured on the bench during Liverpool's Premier League match against Ipswich Town at Portman Road
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool could really do with getting back to winning ways against Crystal Palace on Sunday after suffering demoralising back-to-back defeats this week.
The Reds had been in a good moment going into last weekend’s clash with Arsenal, but a 1-0 loss at the hands of the Gunners was compounded by a surprise 3-2 turnaround against Fenerbahce in midweek. Andoni Iraola needs to right the ship.
Selhurst Park is never the easiest place to go for any Liverpool team, but the Eagles are in poor form themselves. With Pierre Sage under pressure for his job, the Reds will fancy themselves to get something in South London. Here’s the XI we expect Iraola to name as he goes in search of a fourth Premier League away win in succession.
Alisson and Virgil van Dijk have made costly mistakes in recent weeks. What should Liverpool do with the pair now that their contracts are set to run out in the summer?
Keep Allison but get rid of Van Dijk?Let both go
After spending an extraordinary amount on young players over the past 2 years i figure the rebuilding phase of the team had start, do why continue with ageing players? why not get rif of these olders player. You guys said Luiz Dias was old at 28 however you are contemping to extend 35 and 36 year olds. How ridiculous is that.
There were a few at the world cup maybe need a bit of polishing the one I liked although he was old and the country he played for was to say the least not on most people's top 1000 places to visit and would find it hard to get a work permit.
@auntylizard1 How many world class goalies are out there at the moment though? Not many at all who aren't already 30 or over
Defence – Araujo comes back in
Alisson Becker has been questioned after the Fenerbahce loss, with some now deciding that the 34-year-old is ready to vacate his duties as Liverpool’s No. 1. That will not be happening this weekend, however, with Alisson set to go again.
Ronald Araujo was given a rare night off on Wednesday, failing to appear for the first time in a Liverpool fixture this season, meaning that he should be fresh and ready to return at right-back vs Palace.
Iraola could consider putting Araujo at centre-back after Jeremy Jacquet had his worst Liverpool outing against Fenerbahce, but with Jeremie Frimpong being managed, he doesn’t have a great deal of choice at full-back. Jacquet should start again next to Virgil van Dijk, who also did not cover himself in glory in midweek.
Left-back continues to be an issue, and Kostas Tsimikas arguably delivered the worst performance of the season in the position in Turkey, paving the way for Milos Kerkez to once again establish himself.
READ MORE: Liverpool flop pushing for exit after less than two years at Anfield
Midfield – Nyoni takes a rest
The big question for Iraola in midfield is one of whether Trey Nyoni continues in the team to make a third straight start for the Reds.
Nyoni deserves to be in the XI after scoring and playing well in midweek, but having started the last two games, it feels more likely that Iraola chooses to give him a rest here.
Dominik Szoboszlai is arguably not in Liverpool’s best team right now on the back of some disappointing recent performances, but that should mean that the Hungarian slots in alongside Alexis Mac Allister at Selhurst Park.
After coming off the bench in Istanbul, Florian Wirtz should be returned to the line-up before he heads off to be managed by Jurgen Klopp during the international break.
Attack – Iraola picks his strongest three
Along with Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha was Liverpool’s standout player against Fenerbahce, and after seeing him show up well, Iraola could look to pick the teenager for what would be only his second Premier League start of the campaign.
Ngumoha’s hand could be strengthened by the fact that Bradley Barcola was really poor in Turkey, failing to make any kind of impact as a central striker.
However, while Ngumoha would possibly deserve a start, it feels more likely that Iraola will stick with Barcola, this time in his best position from the left.
Cody Gakpo had a mixed time when coming off the bench, setting up Alexander Isak to score before going on to inadvertently assist Fenerbahce’s equaliser as well. The Dutchman should be keen to put that mistake behind him, though, and a motivated Gakpo is always worth starting.
Meanwhile, Liverpool fans once again saw Isak’s poaching instincts, and he will look to continue his impressive goal-scoring form by leading the line here.
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Crystal Palace