Liverpool's four writers have named their preferred starting line-ups for Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, with Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez set to return and questions over the roles of Dominik Szoboszlai and Bradley Barcola.
Back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Fenerbahce have punctured the growing optimism at Liverpool under Andoni Iraola, making the visit to Selhurst Park feel even more important. With the match falling before an international break, Iraola and the Reds will be desperate to sign off with three points, while hosts Palace come into the weekend in the relegation zone as manager Pierre Sage comes under huge pressure.
Defensive changes expected
Paul Gorst expects a similar raft of changes to the five made for Wednesday's defeat to Fenerbahce. He brings in October's player of the month Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez, replacing Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas respectively. In midfield, he questions whether Trey Nyoni is ready to start a third game in a week, given the demanding schedule for the 19-year-old, but names him alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Florian Wirtz returns to the No.10 role, with Bradley Barcola dropped for Cody Gakpo, while Rio Ngumoha keeps his place and Alexander Isak starts.
Ian Doyle notes that any trip to Crystal Palace is enough to fill any Liverpool supporter with dread, regardless of recent form. He keeps Alisson Becker in goal, with Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk continuing at centre-back, but brings in Kerkez at left-back and Araujo at right-back. In midfield, Mac Allister is retained but Ryan Gravenberch joins him at the base, with Wirtz as the number 10. Up top, Isak leads the line, Barcola moves to the left and Gakpo is on the right.
Midfield and attack calls
Theo Squires believes Liverpool need to return to winning ways against Palace after back-to-back defeats and some poor defending in Istanbul. He retains Jacquet and Van Dijk, with changes on the flanks as Araujo and Kerkez return. Szoboszlai drops out after a poor showing in Turkey on his return from injury, with Nyoni handed a third start in a row alongside Mac Allister. Barcola reverts to his favoured left wing after starting upfront against Fenerbahce didn't work, with Isak back to lead the line. Wirtz returns at number 10, but Ngumoha keeps his place after being a rare bright spark in midweek.
Mark Jones expects a proper Premier League battle at Selhurst Park and selects accordingly. Alisson starts in goal, with Araujo at right-back, Jacquet partnering Van Dijk and Kerkez at left-back. Nyoni goes again in midfield alongside Mac Allister, with Szoboszlai starting wide on the right for increased physicality, Wirtz as the No.10 and Gakpo off the left. Isak is up top, with Barcola, Ngumoha and Victor Munoz offering pace and energy in reserve.
