Arne Slot to make major Liverpool changes as Hugo Ekitike ban forces Alexander Isak rethink

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With Liverpool's next assignment coming in the Premier League, wholesale changes are once more expected for Arne Slot this weekend.

The Premier League champions and current leaders are aiming to make it seven successive victories across three competitions when they are entertained by unbeaten Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

And having allowed many of his big guns the night off in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup, expect several to look suitably refreshed in south London.

That will include Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk, who were two of the club's contingent who flew out to Paris for Monday night's Ballon d'Or ceremony.

The influential duo will return to the side alongside Ibrahima Konate, while Milos Kerkez, a substitute on Tuesday, is expected to start at left-back.

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Liverpool head coach Slot has a bit of a dilemma on the right side, with both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley vying for the spot.

Expect a late call on that one but it would be no shock if Bradley, a second-half sub at Anfield, gets the nod over the Netherlands international.

In midfield, the vitally important Ryan Gravenberch will return and then it is three into two with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz all vying for a spot in the engine room.

Wirtz may be recalled after sitting out Tuesday's game on the back of a substitute appearance in the Merseyside derby on Saturday, while Mac Allister, who became a father this week, will be aiming to take another step toward 100% fitness after a truncated pre-season programme.

Szoboszlai has been one of the form players of the fledgling season to date, though, so omitting the Hungary captain would feel a harsh call at this stage, particularly having enjoyed a week off.

Up top, Mohamed Salah will return and Alexander Isak will likely start the game having taken another step forward in his efforts to get up to speed on Tuesday night.

The Sweden international played the first half, which means he now has close to 150 minutes under his belt since May, and while Slot will ideally prefer the £125m from the bench, Hugo Ekitike's suspension has thrown a spanner in the works.

The France international was sent off against the Saints for removing his shirt in celebration late on when already on a booking and it's a decision that has been criticised by Slot.

It means Isak will be tasked with leading the line for the first time in the Premier League as a Liverpool player, barring a surprise from his manager.

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Federico Chiesa was excellent against Southampton, with his work rate and quality combining but his two assists, it must be stressed, did come against a struggling second-tier side.

So, the question is: does Slot trust Chiesa to build on that display at Selhurst Park in a significant way?

Given the Italy international was not in the squad for the Merseyside derby, a spot on the bench might be more realistic.