Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are battling it out for Liverpool’s starting role up front (Image: Getty)
Liverpool head into their Anfield clash with Crystal Palace today (Saturday, 12.30pm BST) in the hope of extending their early lead at the top of the Premier League table.
New manager Arne Slot has made a barnstorming start to life on Merseyside, and three more points would pile pressure on title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City before the international break.
Here, Express Sport takes you through how the Reds are likely to line up against the Eagles…
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Alisson
The Brazilian has played the last two matches since recovering from a thigh injury, and while Caoimhin Kelleher deputised well in his absence, Alisson remains Liverpool’s undisputed No 1.
Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
Slot settled on this back-four early in the season and it has not let him down yet. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will provide width, while Ibrahima Konate has so far managed to put his patchy fitness record behind him and forge a strong partnership with Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has won five of his first six Premier League matches (Image: Getty)
Defensive midfield: Gravenberch, Mac Allister
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are both untouchable in this starting line-up, and their stock is rising all the time. Gravenberch has been particularly impressive this season, while Mac Allister looks just as classy as he did in his debut campaign. There is a fairly hefty drop-off from these two to Slot’s back-up options of Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones.
Attacking midfield: Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz
Another area of Liverpool’s Premier League XI which has remained largely unchanged since the start of the season, Dominik Szoboszlai will likely play as the most advanced midfielder, with the Hungarian flanked by Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.
Salah has contributed to eight goals in his first six league games this term and he was on the scoresheet against Bologna in midweek. Diaz, meanwhile, has five goals and one assist.
Federico Chiesa may not be involved against Palace, even from the bench, after Slot revealed that he has not trained all week.
Striker: Jota
Diogo Jota missed two training sessions after suffering a knock against former club Wolves last weekend, and he was only a substitute for the win over Bologna. Slot therefore has a decision to make on whether to throw the Portuguese straight back in at the deep end or give Darwin Nunez the nod instead.
Given that Jota was fit enough to come off the bench against Bologna, he should have made a full recovery in time for the Palace game. Nunez still has work to do to fight his way into the XI.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1957421/liverpool-team-news-predicted-xi-crystal-palace-diogo-jota-darwin-nunez