Arne Slot hasn’t gone too heavily with the Liverpool changes this afternoon, as just two changes are on display from the side that beat Everton 2-1 in the Merseyside Derby.
The Dutchman will be hoping for an equally lively performance from the Reds against the Eagles, with back-to-back Premier League victories certainly solidifying Liverpool’s grip on a top-five position.
Of course, though, most of the talk pre-match has surrounded Palace being a bogey team for Liverpool to overcome in recent years.
This season alone, Oliver Glasner’s side have been victorious three times against Slot’s men, with a historic double at Anfield potentially on the cards this afternoon, if the South London visitors unsettle the hosts, once more.
Slot will be confident in the team he has selected to break this hoodoo, with injury problems hopefully not derailing the reigning Premier League champions.
Liverpool confirmed XI vs Palace
In goal, Freddie Woodman is handed a dream first Premier League start for the Reds.
This was an expected alteration, with both Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili sidelined through injury, as the ex-Preston North End goalkeeper attempts to keep a clean sheet, after oozing confidence in the Merseyside Derby.
At the back, Slot has made zero changes from the breathless Everton win, with Curtis Jones retained at right-back after a valiant showing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Making up the rest of the back four, Ibrahima Konate is named as one of the centre-backs, next to man of the moment Virgil Van Dijk, while Andy Robertson winds his illustrious Anfield career down, with another Premier League start.
The second change for this afternoon’s clash is in the holding midfield positions, as Ryan Gravenberch drops out of the starting XI for Alexis Mac Allister to gain a run-out, with the Dutchman among Slot’s substitute options.
Next to Mac Allister is Dominik Szoboszlai, who is an ever-present part of the first team at this point in the season, having assisted Van Dijk’s glorious winner at the Toffees.
Making up the attacking ranks, Mohamed Salah is kept down the right flank, after bagging his own memorable strike versus David Moyes’ hosts, while Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are also present.
The 56-time Sweden international will be aiming to add to his two-goal tally for the season in the Premier League with a blistering strike this afternoon.
Yet, he only has one career goal against Palace to his name, with Isak drawing blanks in the reverse league fixture, when Liverpool lost 2-1 at Selhurst Park.
Alongside Gravenberch on the bench, it’s a fantastic occasion for young striker Will Wright, who is named among the substitutes for a senior contest for the first time, after seriously impressing at youth level.
Slot also has Rio Nguhoma, who he could depend on from the bench, with the 17-year-old a great impact hotshot to throw into games, when the opposition is tiring.
Liverpool: Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Substitutes: Pecsi, Gomez, Kerkez, Frimpong, Nyoni, Gravenberch, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Wright
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Johnson, Sarr, Mateta
Substitutes: Benitez, Lerma, Clyne, Devenny, Sosa, Hughes, Riad, Pino, Strand Larsen
