Liverpool lineups vs. Crystal Palace with 1 debut and up to 8 changes

Liverpool turn their attention to the Carabao Cup, and Arne Slot has a job on his hands to rotate the side while securing a much-needed victory.

The Reds have one win from their last six games and the return to Anfield presents an opportunity to start the process of getting back on track, although changes are expected.

There will be a desire from Slot to rest a host of his first-team regulars, as he did in the previous round against Southampton, but he has to weigh that against getting a result.

Here’s how Liverpool could line up on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool’s XI vs. Palace

In the third round of the Carabao Cup, Slot made 11 changes to his lineup, and he could come close to that figure again this time out.

With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai all starting the last six games, they are due to drop out, with Cody Gakpo and Giorgi Mamardashvili to follow.

The latter, as the current No. 1, will be replaced by third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who would be marking his competitive debut.

Joe Gomez and Wataru Endo could be the centre-back pairing of choice, with Andy Robertson and Conor Bradley acting as the more familiar faces in the backline.

Trey Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister can then be deployed in midfield with Gravenberch and Jones both in doubt, leaving Florian Wirtz to continue in his advanced role.

There could be an argument to keep Salah in the side after two appearances off the bench in the last five matches, as he is in need of confidence, with Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa given the opportunity to accompany the Egyptian:

Woodman; Bradley; Gomez, Endo, Robertson; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Chiesa

Slot’s selection is somewhat hindered by his injury list and those in doubt (Gravenberch and Isak), but he could look to turn to a ‘stronger’ starting XI before making changes later in the match.

That could see him decide to start one of Konate or Van Dijk, with the latter more likely due to his record with injuries compared to the Frenchman, despite the obvious need for a rest.

This would free up Endo to move into midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister, with Wirtz completing the midfield trio.

Hugo Ekitike has started two of the last four and could be deemed fresh enough to start if Isak is still out with a groin issue, with Chiesa and Ngumoha on the flanks.

And the notable inclusion could be Calvin Ramsay at right-back in light of Frimpong’s injury, which would mark his first senior match for the club since 2022:

Woodman; Ramsay; Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike

There will be an argument from plenty that Slot ought to name as strong a lineup as possible to help the team bounce back, but they will have factored in the opportunity to rest players prior to this dip.

Liverpool need to find a way of balancing their team selection with the must-win nature of the match, as slumping to six defeats in seven cannot be on the cards.

Just win, Liverpool!