Alisson Becker & Arne Slotplaceholder image
Alisson Becker & Arne Slot | AFP via Getty Images
The latest Liverpool team news and predicted starting XI for their Premier League game against Crystal Palace - including the latest on Alisson.
Liverpool will go in search of a third consecutive Premier League victory when they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield on Saturday afternoon – but Arne Slot’s preparations have been made more difficult due to several injury issues, with a key decision facing him in goal.
Alisson could be rushed back into the starting line-up following a month out after reserve goalkeeper Giorgio Mamardashvili sustained a knee injury during last weekend’s last-gasp win in the Merseyside Derby – and the two stoppers are among seven first-team players who are either out or doubts for a match which could end up having a significant bearing on Liverpool’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Liverpool team news and injury updates below, the latest on Alisson’s condition, and provided our prediction for Slot’s starting line-up.
Will Alisson be back in time to face Crystal Palace?
Mamardashvili was forced off against Everton just before the hour mark with a nasty gash on his knee after a challenge by Beto, and while scans appear to have ruled out ligament damage, the Georgian goalkeeper is still set for a spell on the sidelines.
Slot confirmed on Friday that Mamardashvili would “definitely” miss the match against Crystal Palace, and would be out for “the upcoming weeks,” suggesting that there is a chance that the 25-year-old is done for the season. That gives Liverpool a selection headache, with a chance that Alisson isn’t ready to return in time for the weekend.
The Brazilian veteran has been out of action since mid-March due to a hamstring injury, and had been considered touch and go for this weekend before Mamardashvili went down – that injury could now force Slot’s hand.
The Dutch head coach described Alisson as “close to returning” during his pre-match press conference but refused to be drawn on whether a decision had been made as to who would start between the sticks. If Alisson fails a late fitness test, then third choice Freddie Woodman will take the gloves instead.
Joe Gomez set for Liverpool return but four miss out
There was positive news from Slot’s press conference about the fitness of defender Joe Gomez, who was said to be “back in the squad” following a hamstring injury he picked up during Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final second leg loss to PSG.
The 28-year-old is unlikely to start but could contribute from the bench against Crystal Palace, which could be helpful given the dearth of healthy options in defence: Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) are both out for the long haul, with Bradley unlikely to play again until December.
Jeremie Frimpong, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones are competing to start at right-back after Jones impressed in that role against Everton, while Miloš Kerkez could come back in on the left flank after Andrew Robertson got the nod to start in the derby.
Alexander Isak is likely to start up front again with Hugo Eikitiké out for the rest of 2026 with a serious Achilles injury, while midfielder Wataru Endo is also out with the Japan international not expected to feature again for his club this season. Alexis Mac Allister may have to settle for a place on the bench for a fourth consecutive domestic match.
Liverpool predicted starting XI vs. Crystal Palace: Alisson; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konaté, Jones; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah; Isak.
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