Liverpool star left to rue missed opportunity as Arne Slot handed new selection dilemma

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Arne Slot made wholesale changes for Liverpool's previous Carabao Cup tie with Southampton, but injuries will limit his options time time around against Crystal Palace at Anfield in the fourth roundTheo Squires was appointed Liverpool FC Writer for the Liverpool ECHO in 2021, after covering EURO 2020 at Wembley as England reached their first major men's final since 1966. Arne Slot’s hand could be forced somewhat when it comes to naming his Liverpool squad for Wednesday’s League Cup clash with Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman made wholesale changes for the Reds’ third-round victory over Southampton last month, as goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike secured a 2-1 win.And while there would be nothing stopping him from doing so again against the Eagles, injuries have ensured he would have to dive deeper into his squad depth if he wished to do so.From the squad that beat the Saints, two players are now long-term absentees in Giovanni Leoni and Jayden Danns, Jeremie Frimpong is set for his own extended stint on the sidelines and both Isak and Curtis Jones are also injury doubts.READ MORE: Milos Kerkez has been found out at Liverpool but two team-mates look like they've had a rowREAD MORE: Cody Gakpo sent harsh reality check after £65m Liverpool decision - 'No chance'With Slot not holding a pre-match press conference ahead of facing Palace, it remains to be seen if either of the latter pair - or Ryan Gravenberch - would be passed fit in time to face Oliver Glasner’s side.But they are not the only players who might be spared duties against Palace due to injuries elsewhere. With Frimpong sidelined with a hamstring injury, Slot could opt to protect Conor Bradley rather than risk his only other available senior right-back.Likewise, with Alisson Becker also still absent with a hamstring injury of his own, third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is expected to debut in place of Giorgi Mamardashvili.Slot made a similar change in the League Cup fourth round last year when Vitezslav Jaros was handed his full debut away at Brighton and Caoimhin Kelleher was instead named on the bench in the absence of the injured Brazilian.So, from the 15 players who took to the pitch against Southampton in the last round, it would be no surprise if as many as seven of those players do not then feature against Palace.Injuries are also limiting Slot’s hand in terms of alternatives.

For example, Joe Gomez could be an option at right-back in the absence of the injured Frimpong, if Bradley is protected from risk of injury of his own, but will be needed at the heart of defence.As a result, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Calvin Ramsay comes into the side to make his first Liverpool appearance since November 2022.Meanwhile, Slot must choose who to partner alongside Gomez at the heart of defence in the absence of the injured Leoni. He could have been an option to lead the line, if not at least come off the bench, were he available.But he is not the only youngster who could be left wondering what could have been.Stefan Bajcetic has not played for Liverpool since May 2024, while he has featured only three times for the Reds since March 2023 because of injury.Spending last season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg and then Las Palmas, he impressed with the latter only to see his campaign then curtailed prematurely by a hamstring injury.The Spaniard is yet to return to action, but Under-21s head coach Rob Page recently revealed he is anticipated to make his comeback for Liverpool’s second string."It is a possibility, isn’t it?” Page said last month.