Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool team news ahead of the Premier League 2024-25 season finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
A two-day party is set to ensue. Liverpool fans will experience something that they haven’t experienced in 35 years - many have never witnessed it in their lives. That will be seeing the league title be lifted aloft.
Not since 1990 have supporters been present to see the silverware hoisted towards the heavens. The 2020 Premier League triumph was amid the COVID-19 pandemic, denying supporters the chance to celebrate.
But today, the title will officially be added to the Anfield trophy cabinet. Liverpool have officially been champions for a month after a 5-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur on April 27 and that proved a momentous day. There were celebrations long into the night and Kopites have continued to toast the feat since.
There has not been a victory in the Reds’ subsequent three games, losing to Chelsea and Brighton as well as drawing to Arsenal. Head coach Arne Slot admitted that it is more of a struggle for Liverpool’s players to motivate themselves, while there has been plenty of time off for their achievement.
The Reds will get their hands on the Premier League trophy after the season finale against Crystal Palace. Supporters will flock to Anfield hours before kick-off and will revel on Monday when the silverware is paraded around the city.
And Slot will hope that Liverpool can sign off with a victory over the newly-crowned FA Cup winners. It would be a fitting ending to a magnificent maiden season of the Dutchman’s tenure as head coach.
Heading into the game, Slot is hopeful to get Joe Gomez some minutes. He was on the bench in a 3-2 loss at Brighton after recovering from a three-month hamstring injury. The Liverpool boss said at his pre-match press conference: "Last weekend he was there with the team but was not able to play yet. He didn't tick all the boxes yet, but I think there was a spot open, so it was for me a moment where I could show my gratitude towards him to show what he's done on the pitch for us, but also off the pitch for us."
The only player who looks set to be unavailable is Alexis Mac Allister. The midfielder has been a key player in the title triumph but was absent against Brighton. Slot confirmed that Mac Allister has been struggling with an injury and will not be risked against Palace.
It means that Liverpool will have 24 players to select from. Third-choice goalkeeper Viteslav Jaros will be omitted, while Tyler Morton has not made a single league appearance throughout the season. Fellow midfielder James McConnell was not loaned out in January to provide cover.
That means there is another player who is likely to miss out. Diogo Jota was absent against Brighton but no official reason was given. The forward has had injury problems this term and could well have been rested. Jota has been named in Portugal’s squad as they face Germany in the Nations League semi-final next month.
Virgil van Dijk was given a breather against Brighton but is likely to return to the starting line-up ahead of lifting the trophy.
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