Slot risks more defensive issues while ‘explosive’ ace starts: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Crystal Palace

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Liverpool face Crystal Palace for the third time already this season on Wednesday night.The Reds are in desperate need of a reaction after losing for the fourth time in a row in the Premier League at the weekend, but they face a team who are becoming a bit of a bogey side.Crystal Palace have already beaten Liverpool twice this season, and now they travel to Anfield for a fourth round Carabao Cup tie.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. It feels a little bit like Arne Slot needs a win to take the pressure off, however this will not stop him from ringing the changes and perhaps try a different approach.

Here is the XI we think he will field against Palace.Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesDefenceThe first player in the team is not exactly a prediction, as it has already been confirmed that Freddie Woodman will start in goal and make his debut.The former Crystal Palace academy player got the nod ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili, with this a bold decision that could even lose Slot his job should it backfire.With options limited, Conor Bradley will likely start at right-back, with the experienced Andy Robertson coming in at left-back to help the balance of the team.However, the Scotsman may not get the armband as despite changes needed, Palace will certainly be no pushovers, suggesting Virgil van Dijk could keep his place in the side.Ibrahima Konate might get a rest, though, given he, as well as van Dijk, have played a lot of football this season, with Joe Gomez coming in for his second start on the bounce in this competition.MidfieldThe middle of the park will also get a bit of a shake-up, with the holding midfielder role between one of two players: Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni.We think the latter may get the nod given the legs Palace have in midfield, with Nyoni’s youthfulness something that could add a lot to a struggling area for the Reds.Endo may feel a little hard done by, especially as he could also have played in defence, but his height may be a problem given how direct teams are playing nowadays. READ MORE: Ben Foster left ‘shocked’ by what £36m Liverpool star did during defeat to BrentfordIn front of Nyoni, Alexis Mac Allister will likely be reintegrated into the side, with the Argentine in desperate need of minutes and a good performance.Then in the number 10 role will likely be Florian Wirtz despite a rather poor performance against Brentford, with the German another player who needs to start firing soon.AttackThe attack is a very exciting area during cup games as fans will likely get to see a lot of the exciting players who are on the verge of regular minutes.

One of these is Italian Federico Chiesa, with the Italian simply having to start this one given how few chances he has had this season.Chiesa impressed against Southampton in the third round of this competition, with a similar performance needed in this one if they are to get anything out of the game.On the left, young Rio Ngumoha could get another opportunity to shine, with the ‘explosive’ star not getting many minutes as of late due to Liverpool’s terrible run of form.Leading the line will surely be Hugo Ekitike as Alexander Isak is still a doubt, giving the Frenchman another chance to show why he should be the first-choice.Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs Crystal Palace