Arne Slot faces major Hugo Ekitike decision as Liverpool consider defensive overhaul

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool are next up against Galatasaray in the Champions League with Arne Slot facing some selection posersLiverpool were on the receiving end of late drama this time when they were beaten 2-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League. Ismaila Sarr put the Londoners ahead early on and although substitute Federico Chiesa equalised in the 87th minute, Eddie Nketiah notched deep into an elongated additional period to send the Reds tumbling to their first top-flight loss of the campaign.Arne Slot's side now face another major test of their Champions League credentials when they travel to Turkey to take on Galatasaray on Tuesday evening.And here we look ahead to the changes Slot could make when his team are next in action.READ MORE: Arne Slot left fuming as Crystal Palace joke about Liverpool performanceREAD MORE: Virgil van Dijk addresses Liverpool 'worry' and 'biggest challenge' they now faceKonate concernThere has been plentiful rotation from Slot in recent weeks and that is likely to continue again as Liverpool prepare for a second of three away games inside eight days.Right-back has proven something of a problem position with neither Conor Bradley nor Jeremie Frimpong having properly staked a claim for a regular start.

Dominik Szoboszlai has arguably been the best in the role this campaign when playing out of position, while Joe Gomez is another option.Gomez is also an alternative at centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate having struggled at Palace alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk. Wataru Endo could also feature in defence over the coming months with Giovanni Leoni now out for the season.At left-back, Milos Kerkez has edged ahead of Andy Robertson once more although the latter has started Liverpool's two midweek games so far this campaign, including when scoring in the Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.Alisson Becker demonstrated against Palace why he is the world's best goalkeeper, with Giorgi Mamardashvili ahead of Freddie Woodman as the Brazilian's deputy.Wirtz decisionSlot attempted a different midfield approach at the weekend with Florian Wirtz operating in a free role before returning to his recognised number 10 position after half-time.It seems unlikely the Liverpool boss will veer from his regular 4-2-3-1 in Istanbul.

But Wirtz will be under pressure from both Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones for a start although he impressed against Atletico a fortnight ago.Szoboszlai, Jones and Endo are also alternatives to Alexis Mac Allister alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield, with the Argentina international still struggling to regain full sharpness after injury.Teenager Trey Nyoni started the League Cup win over Southampton last midweek and is likely to be among the substitutes.Gakpo back?With Hugo Ekitike back from suspension and Federico Chiesa now part of the Champions League squad, Slot has a decision to make over who leads the attack with Alexander Isak having got through 84 minutes on Saturday.Chiesa is also an alternative to Mohamed Salah on the right after the Egyptian had a rare shocker against Palace.Cody Gakpo will be pressing for a recall on the left flank with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha once again getting minutes from the bench at the weekend. Jayden Danns, though, is out having suffered an injury when playing for the under-21s at the weekend.