Liverpool lineup against Crystal Palace: Nunes, Elliott to Start while Matip and Thiago Alcantara to miss out
When Liverpool host Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday night, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for their first win of the season. The Merseyside outfit will be hoping for an improved performance after twice coming back to snatch a point against Fulham, but the team will require changes due to injuries.
Following the latest injuries to two of his key players, Klopp will be forced to make some changes. Thiago Alcantara was substituted early in the second half of Liverpool’s season opener due to a thigh injury that will keep him out for four to six weeks.
Meanwhile, Joel Matip has not been in training recently, which casts doubts over the veteran defender’s availability on Monday night. With Ibrahima Konate already ruled out through injury, Klopp will likely pair Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defense.
The Liverpool manager also confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Naby Keita and Kostas Tsimikas trained during the week and could be part of the squad. Klopp said, “A couple of boys are coming back: Naby will be back for Monday, and Kostas will train today for the first time so that he might be back as well. That’s the situation.”
Keita’s availability may not be enough to warrant a start, but Harvey Elliott, who recently signed a new long-term deal, is penciled in to replace Thiago in the starting lineup. The youngster will line up alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park.
In terms of the attacking unit, Klopp may start summer signing Darwin Nunez ahead of Roberto Firmino against Crystal Palace. The Uruguayan international was instrumental in Liverpool’s comeback against Fulham, scoring the first goal and assisting Mohamed Salah on the second.
Salah will continue to play on the right flank, with Luis Diaz preferred on the opposite flank. With a few players expected to be available against Crystal Palace, Liverpool will have more squad depth from the bench than last week, and the Reds will be eager to get their first win of the season.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
