Five ways Liverpool could replace Hugo Ekitike vs Crystal Palace after 'stupid' red card

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Elsewhere, he made an 18-minute substitute appearance for Sweden during the international break against Kosovo, and came on for the final 23 minutes of the Merseyside derby.

Isak hasn’t started a Premier League game or completed a full 90 minutes of any sort since the final day of last season, when former club Newcastle lost 1-0 at home to Everton.

Meanwhile, Slot recently admitted he does not expect the striker to be back to near his best until after the October international break.

He could hand Isak a second start in the space of five days, but it depends entirely on his fitness.

And the leading option would be Federico Chiesa.

The Italian was Liverpool’s man of the match against Southampton, recording two assists as he started the game on the right before being switched to the number 10 position and then again to the left following the Reds’ substitutions.

However, his game-time has predominantly come as a substitute upfront in the Premier League this season, with the 27-year-old scoring a decisive goal against AFC Bournemouth on the opening day of the season before playing a part in Rio Ngumoha’s winner against Newcastle.

He was also introduced upfront against both Arsenal and Burnley, only to be left out of the squad against both Atletico Madrid - having not been registered in the Reds' Champions League squad - and Everton following the signing of Isak.

Chiesa’s game-time was ultimately limited last season as he struggled with fitness issues following his initial £10m arrival from Juventus.

And with Slot previously confirming he is an option as a false nine, though that was admittedly before signing Isak, the German could be recalled in an attacking berth alongside Szoboszlai.

But a trip to Palace, facing off against their five-man defence with Wirtz as a false nine or two number 10s, is admittedly a rather different prospect than an away trip to Pep Guardiola's Man City.

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The curveball option now in Jayden Danns.

The 19-year-old came off the bench to make his first senior appearance of the season against Southampton in midweek as he too steps up his return after long-term injury.

The striker has made 10 appearances for Liverpool to date, returning three goals, and has featured three times in the Premier League.

But it would be the boldest of calls if Slot were to hand the teenager a full league debut now.

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With father Neil enjoying three and a half seasons as a player with Palace, there would be a sense of sentimentality if Danns Jnr was handed a first Premier League start at Selhurst Park.

Instead, perhaps a matchday appearance is more likely in the absence of Ekitike if Slot finds himself in need of further attacking reinforcements.