Jurgen Klopp faces several challenging decisions as Liverpool prepare for their visit to Crystal Palace.
Despite a 2-0 victory against Sheffield United, Liverpool encountered an unexpected setback as Alexis Mac Allister suffered an injury during the match. The Argentine midfielder endured robust challenges from the Blades, requiring treatment on multiple occasions. Initially, he received stitches to his knee, but succumbed to further knocks shortly before the hour-mark.
Post-match, Jurgen Klopp expressed his optimism, hoping that the midfielder’s absence would be brief. However, Klopp now anxiously awaits the fitness update on the World Cup winner as Liverpool gear up for their match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
With four changes to his starting XI for the recent visit to Bramall Lane, the German manager is anticipated to make further adjustments at Selhurst Park. However, confronted with a potential mandatory change, Newsnow Liverpool examines the potential lineup of his team for the Saturday fixture…
Kostas Tsimikas was rested in the match against Sheffield United, as hinted by Klopp in his pre-match press conference. Despite Joe Gomez starting at left-back and securing a clean sheet, Tsimikas is expected to reclaim his position.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to continue at right-back, but Mac Allister’s injury opens the possibility of him moving further forward. If Klopp decides to make this change, the competition for the right-back position will be between Gomez and Conor Bradley.
Ibrahima Konate is set to maintain his partnership with Virgil van Dijk, as Joel Matip is ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured ACL. Caoimhin Kelleher will retain his spot in goal unless Alisson Becker recovers from his hamstring injury.
Mac Allister’s availability against Crystal Palace hangs in the balance due to knee stitches. If he remains unfit, Klopp must choose an alternative for the holding midfield role.
Wataru Endo, who previously started in this position against Sheffield United, might retain his spot after a noteworthy performance following a goal-scoring cameo against Fulham. Another option for the role is Alexander-Arnold.
Dominik Szoboszlai, a goal-scorer in the previous match against the Blades, is expected to maintain his place. Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, and Harvey Elliott are vying for the opportunity to complete the midfield trio.
Start Darwin Nunez?
Jurgen Klopp is confronted with a minor quandary in the attacking department, as none of his forwards have managed to score in the last three Premier League matches.
Although Darwin Nunez has been goalless for over a month, a potential return to the starting XI looms, especially given his recent assist as a substitute against Sheffield United. If brought back into the lineup, Nunez is poised to assume the central striking role.
In such a scenario, Cody Gakpo is the likely candidate to make way, although he might also contend with Luis Diaz for a spot on the left-wing. The availability of Diogo Jota remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a muscle injury suffered against Manchester City.
Mohamed Salah, despite the ongoing quest for his 200th Liverpool goal (and 150th Premier League goal), is virtually assured of a starting position.
Possible Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.
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