Andoni Iraola has named his Liverpool starting XI for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
After consecutive defeats against Arsenal and Fenerbahçe, the Liverpool manager has responded with five changes as the Reds look to get their season back on track.
Liverpool starting XI:
Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Endo, McConnell, Nyoni, Muñoz, Ngumoha, Koumas.
Szoboszlai returns – Nyoni drops to the bench
The biggest talking point is the return of Dominik Szoboszlai to the starting midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister.
Trey Nyoni impressed in Istanbul, scoring his first Champions League goal, but he has been named among the substitutes.
I understand the temptation to bring Szoboszlai back, particularly given his energy and ability to cover ground. However, I still want to see Nyoni given more opportunities. He has shown enough recently to deserve serious consideration.
With Ryan Gravenberch unavailable because of his ongoing heel problem, this is another opportunity for Mac Allister and Szoboszlai to establish a partnership.
Isak leads the attack as Gakpo and Barcola return
Alexander Isak starts after scoring from the bench against Fenerbahçe.
This is important because Liverpool need to get their £125 million striker into dangerous positions and provide him with better service.
Bradley Barcola returns to his more familiar wide role, while Cody Gakpo also comes back into the starting XI.
Florian Wirtz continues behind Isak, and there is plenty of attacking quality in this front four.
But quality on paper means very little unless Liverpool start creating clear-cut opportunities.
No starting place for Ngumoha
I was hoping to see Rio Ngumoha handed a starting opportunity today.
The youngster offers directness, pace and the willingness to take defenders on. Liverpool have lacked that spark in recent performances, so I would have liked to see him given the chance from the beginning.
He is on the bench alongside Nyoni, Víctor Muñoz and the other attacking options.
Hopefully, Iraola is prepared to use them if Liverpool need something different during the second half.
Liverpool need a response at Selhurst Park
There can be no hiding from the importance of today’s fixture.
Two defeats have raised questions about Liverpool’s performances, squad depth and the balance of the team.
Crystal Palace are not going to make life easy, even with Jean-Philippe Mateta suspended, and Selhurst Park is a difficult place to visit.
Liverpool need to show more intensity, move the ball quicker and give Isak the service he needs.
Iraola has picked an experienced starting XI, and now it is up to those players to deliver.
Three points are essential. More importantly, Liverpool need a performance that gives supporters something to believe in again.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply