Liverpool’s slump reached a new low over the weekend, and now an opportunity to progress in the Carabao Cup awaits against a Crystal Palace side that started the decline.
Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
Carabao Cup Fourth Round | Anfield
October 29, 2025 | 7.45pm (GMT)
Liverpool have won one of their last six games in all competitions, with the last-gasp defeat at Selhurst Park kickstarting the malaise.
Oliver Glasner’s side have stumbled of late, failing to win any of their last four matches – of which three ended in defeat – making it a must-win for both clubs.
Here is all you need to know ahead of kickoff.
1. Liverpool team news
Curtis Jones was the latest to succumb to a fitness issue over the weekend, with the midfielder having asked to come off with an apparent groin complaint.
Liverpool have not provided an update on whether they expect Jones, Alexander Isak or Ryan Gravenberch to be available, with all three in doubt for the fixture.
Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong, however, are certain to miss out.
• Curtis Jones (reported groin) – doubt
• Alexander Isak (groin) – doubt
• Ryan Gravenberch (ankle) – doubt
• Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) – out
• Alisson (hamstring) – out
• Giovanni Leoni (ACL) – out
• Jayden Danns (hamstring) – out
• Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) – out
2. Liverpool debut for third-choice goalkeeper
Freddie Woodman is expected to make his club debut in place of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will be protected in the continued absence of Alisson.
We saw last season that Slot selected his backup goalkeeper for domestic cups, with Vitezslav Jaros
even starting one match, and Woodman is set for his first opportunity.
The third-choice goalkeeper last made a competitive appearance in March but did feature during Liverpool’s pre-season, with the 28-year-old since taking on a training role.
Woodman could be one of a handful of changes to the XI, though Slot must balance his selection with the need for a victory.
3. Crystal Palace without a win in last 4
A lot has, rightly, been said about Glasner’s side this season after an extended unbeaten run, but that has come to an end in the weeks since Liverpool’s visit.
Palace have lost three of their last four – against Everton, AEK Larnaca and Arsenal – and drew 3-3 against Bournemouth, meaning they too are looking to change their fortunes.
The Eagles are without Chris Richards (calf), Caleb Kporha (back), Chadi Riad (knee) and Cheick Doucoure (knee) for their trip, and Glasner could also make changes after feeling the effects of a game every three days.
Goalkeeper Walter Benitez and centre-back Jaydee Canvot are confirmed starters, while former Red Nathaniel Clyne could be in contention for a starting berth, with Eddie Nketiah likely to lead the line.
Possible Palace XI: Benitez; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa; Esse, Pino; Nketiah
4. Arne Slot declined press conference
Liverpool’s head coach did not front the press ahead of the match, with the club declining the opportunity for his usual press conference.
Carabao Cup rules state that a pre-match press conference is not compulsory, instead a club must make a player and their head coach available for interviews if the fixture is selected for broadcast.
It is the second time Liverpool have opted against holding a media briefing this season, doing the same against Southampton in the third round.
Slot’s new assistant Giovanni van Bronckhorst was expected to front the media, as Pep Lijnders did for Jurgen Klopp, but instead their attention is focused on preparing the team for Wednesday.
5. No VAR in operation
There is no VAR in operation across the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, which may be a relief to some.
The only guaranteed time it will be in use in this competition is in the final, with other rounds at the discretion of the EFL on the basis that every host venue has VAR capabilities.
Anfield, of course, has the technology available, but there are lower-league teams still involved in the competition that do not.
Also, there is still no extra time so if the scoreline is level after 90 minutes, it is straight to penalties.
6. The fifth-round draw
Hopefully, Liverpool’s name will be in the hat, or in this case the bowl, when the draw is made on Wednesday night!
The fate of the final eight will be determined after Newcastle vs. Tottenham, which kicks off at 8pm – meaning the draw won’t be expected to take place until 10pm at the earliest, but we know how they love to drag it out.
If the Reds progress, they will play their fifth-round tie in the week commencing December 15, which sits between the visit of Brighton (Dec 13) and a trip to Tottenham (Dec 20) in the league.
7. Predicted Liverpool starting XI
There is a balance to be struck between rotation and naming a side that is capable of securing a much-needed victory, but Slot could look to make up to eight changes.
As abovementioned, Woodman is in line to make his debut and he could stand behind a backline of Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson.
Trey Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister can add fresh legs in midfield, with Florian Wirtz taking up the advanced position.
Mo Salah has been a substitute in two of the last five games and could look to build some confidence with a start, joined by Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa.
Predicted LFC XI: Woodman; Bradley; Gomez, Endo, Robertson; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Chiesa
8. Did you know?
In the last 16 League Cup rounds in which Liverpool have featured, they have faced Premier League opposition 13 times.
Southampton (2025/26), Leicester (2023/24) and Derby (2022/23) are the only exceptions, plying their trade in either the Championship or League One at the time of the cup tie.
It has not stopped Liverpool from progressing in the competition, though, making the final in three of the last four seasons – hopefully a fourth final in five is on the horizon!
9. Referee: Craig Pawson
Craig Pawson is in charge of this fixture, in what is his first Liverpool match since February’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
Constantine Hatzidakis, the assistant referee who elbowed Andy Robertson in the jaw in 2023, will serve as one of Pawson’s assistants alongside Matthew Wilkes, with Andrew Kitchen the fourth official.
This will be the fourth Liverpool game that Hatzidakis has been involved in as an assistant since the incident.
10. How to follow the match with TIA!
Liverpool’s cup tie against Crystal Palace will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK, with coverage starting at 7pm (GMT) ahead of the 7.45pm start.
As ever, This Is Anfield will have worldwide TV information available in the hours preceding kickoff.
If you’re on the move or fancy steering away from television commentary, you can stay updated and entertained with Henry Jackson on our liveblog from 7pm.
Please win, Reds!
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