Liverpool will aim to retain their place at the top of the Premier League table before the October international break when they visit Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime.
The Reds were successful once again in midweek Champions League action, eventually securing a 2-0 victory over a battling Bologna outfit. It was their fifth win in a row since the surprise defeat to Nottingham Forest and their forwards are looking sharp in the final third.
They take on a Palace side yet to win a league game this season, with only Southampton scoring fewer goals than the Croydon side.
Here’s the side Arne Slot could pick for Saturday’s clash at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)
GK: Alisson – Was in decent form in midweek, making a couple of saves and distributing well. Had another injury scare earlier in the campaign but is back between the sticks again.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Was embroiled in a running battle with Dan Ndoye against Bologna and gave as good as he got for most of the evening. Will be keen to register a third goal involvement in all competitions.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – Has nailed down the spot as Virgil van Dijk’s partner in central defence but has also picked up bookings in his last four games.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Slot gave “the same boring answer” when asked about Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah’s contract situations before the weekend. The Netherlands international has looked as imperious as ever despite some uncertainty over his future.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – There could be some rotation at full-back, with Kostas Tsimikas coming into the starting XI after Andy Robertson played against Bologna. The Greece international is yet to start a Premier League game this season.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Summer target Martin Zubimendi recently claimed he had “no regrets” over staying at Real Sociedad and Liverpool may feel similar given how Gravenberch has slotted into the team so seamlessly having been a squad player in Jurgen Klopp’s last season in charge.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – The Argentine remains as dangerous in the opposition box as he is feisty out of possession, tapping in Salah’s cross to net the opener in midweek.
RW: Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian’s trademark stunner capped a good European win for Liverpool on Wednesday. He scored twice during a 33-minute substitute appearance in their 7-0 victory at Selhurst Park back in December 2020.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – Szoboszlai had another decent outing in midweek, getting an assist for Salah’s strike, and will look to use his neat dribbling and strong passing again on Saturday.
LW: Luis Diaz – One of Liverpool’s standout players at the start of the campaign, the Colombia international needs only four more league goals to set a new best for a season in England’s top flight since joining from Porto in 2022.
ST: Diogo Jota – Darwin Nunez could be taken out of the firing line having spluttered against Bologna, with the sharper Jota likely to get the nod. The Portuguese forward presses intelligently and will unsettle Palace’s expected back three in defence.
