🔴 I’d give Kerkez, Gomez, Wirtz, and Ngumoha some minutes off the bench to rest Robertson, Bradley, Szoboszlai, and Ekitike.
What do we think, Reds? Would you make any changes? 🤔
Liverpool and Crystal Palace face off at Anfield in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, with both teams struggling for form at the moment.
Arne Slot’s side have lost five of their last six matches across all competitions and suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday — their fourth consecutive Premier League loss. Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace are winless in four and were beaten by Arsenal last weekend.
Both managers are dealing with injury problems, meaning they’ll have some tough choices to make. Here’s how onthegoal expects the teams to line up:
Liverpool Team News
The Reds will once again be without Alisson Becker, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong, who remain sidelined through injury. However, Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch could return after missing the Brentford game with minor knocks.
Curtis Jones was forced off during that match and is doubtful for this fixture, while young goalkeeper Freddie Woodman might be preferred over Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Liverpool Injuries and Suspensions
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Giovanni Leoni | Knee | 03/08/2026 |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Hamstring | 22/11/2025 |
| Alisson Becker | Hamstring | 09/11/2025 |
| Alexander Isak | Groin | 29/10/2025 |
Slot Shares an Update
Slot didn’t hold a pre-match press conference, but after the Brentford defeat, he gave a brief injury update:
“Curtis [Jones] asked to come off, but he was able to walk off, so we’ll have to wait and see.
We’ve already played Palace in the Premier League this season, and that result didn’t go our way. Credit to them — their winner came late after we’d equalised. We need to be ready for their intensity and ability to fight until the final whistle.
I haven’t finalised the squad yet — we still need to train and check availability — but whoever plays must be ready for a battle.”
Liverpool Predicted XI
Starting XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Gomez, Konaté, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Substitutes: Woodman (GK), Williams (DEF), Van Dijk (DEF), Kerkez (DEF), Nyoni (MID), Wirtz (MID), Salah (FWD), Ngumoha (FWD), Isak (FWD).
Given the injury situation — and with the Carabao Cup lower on the priority list — Slot is expected to rotate his squad. Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa could start, while captain Virgil van Dijk and high-earning duo Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak might be rested on the bench.
Crystal Palace Team News
Palace also have several injuries to manage. Glasner confirmed that summer signings Walter Benítez and Jaydee Canvot will start in defence.
Cheick Doucouré, Caleb Kporha, and Chadi Riad remain long-term absentees, while Eddie Nketiah is pushing for a rare start.
Glasner’s Update
“The squad is in good shape. Chris Richards has a minor calf issue, so he won’t travel, but everyone else is fit and recovered well.
Jaydee [Canvot] and Walter [Benítez] will both start — they’ve earned it through hard work in training. Mistakes happen, but Jaydee has responded well, and we have full trust in him.”
Crystal Palace Predicted XI
Starting XI: Benítez; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Wharton, Lerma, Sosa; Sarr, Nketiah, Uche.
Substitutes: Henderson (GK), Mitchell (DEF), Clyne (DEF), Hughes (MID), Devenny (MID), Cardines (MID), Esse (FWD), Mateta (FWD), Pino (FWD).
Palace are also likely to make changes to spark improvement, with Borna Sosa expected to join Canvot and Benítez in the back line. Nketiah, who scored the winner in the previous meeting between the sides, is likely to start up front — meaning Jean-Philippe Mateta and Yeremy Pino could drop to the bench.
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