Just when the Premier League world thought it had Arne Slot’s injury-hit Liverpool figured out, the Dutch tactician has reportedly torn up the script ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash with Crystal Palace at Anfield. With Champions League qualification still hanging in the balance, the predicted XI emerging from the Reds’ camp is nothing short of audacious – and Palace may have no idea what’s about to hit them.
Let’s be clear: this is not the team anyone expected. Not after the Merseyside derby’s bloody aftermath. Not with a goalkeeper crisis deepening by the day. And certainly not with a right-back solution that sounds like something from a fever dream.
The Goalkeeping Gamble That Could Define the Season
First, the obvious elephant in the room: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Liverpool’s deputy goalkeeper, was stretchered off during the 2-1 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend. The Georgian international’s fitness is now a major concern for Slot, who has already watched his squad get decimated by injuries all campaign. In his place came third-choice Freddie Woodman, who saw out the derby victory.
But here’s the bombshell: while Alisson Becker returned to team training on Thursday alongside Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez, the Brazilian is still a doubt for the weekend. That means Woodman – yes, the third-stringer – is currently projected to start between the posts against Palace. Slot is known for his poker face, but if Alisson isn’t passed fit, Liverpool will be trusting their entire top-four fate to a man who has barely featured in months.
The Right-Back Riddle: Jones? Frimpong? Neither?
Now for the true shock. Last weekend, Slot fielded Curtis Jones – a natural midfielder – at right-back. It was a stopgap that worked on the night, but late on Jeremie Frimpong was introduced in that role. And according to the predicted XI, Frimpong gets the nod from the start against Palace.
That means Jones moves back into midfield? Not exactly. The predicted lineup shows a double pivot of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, with Florian Wirtz operating as the No.10. That’s a bold, attack-minded spine – but it leaves Frimpong, a player known more for his pace than his defensive discipline, tasked with containing Palace’s left flank. Crystal Palace’s scouting report on Liverpool’s derby setup will be worthless now.
The Central Defence Tightrope
Here’s where it gets truly nerve-shredding for Liverpool fans. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk remain the club’s only two recognised central defenders available. Joe Gomez is a doubt after a slight muscle injury, though he’s the likeliest of the returning trio to feature. But even if he makes the bench, Slot is one twisted ankle away from a full-blown crisis.
Andy Robertson got the nod over Milos Kerkez in the derby, but the predicted XI flips that call: Kerkez is named at left-back this time. That’s another curveball, suggesting Slot wants more youthful energy and overlapping threat against a Palace side that will sit deep and hit on the break.
The Attack: Isak Fit, Ekitike’s Heartbreak, and That Front Four
There is good news – finally. Alexander Isak, Slot’s star summer signing, has returned to full fitness after a broken leg. He starts upfront. But the joy is tempered by tragedy: fellow new recruit Hugo Ekitike was ruled out for the season and this summer’s World Cup with a ruptured Achilles tendon. That’s a crushing blow for the player and his country.
Alongside Isak, the predicted XI names Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo on the left, with Florian Wirtz pulling the strings as the No.10. That’s a front four of pure devastation – if they can get the ball. The concern is whether Woodman and an improvised defence can supply it.
The Injury List: A Horror Show
Let’s tally the damage. Confirmed absentees for Saturday: Hugo Ekitike (Achilles – season), Conor Bradley (knee – long term), Giovanni Leoni (knee – long term), and now Giorgi Mamardashvili (unknown, but stretchered off). Doubts: Alisson Becker, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo. That’s seven first-teamers either out or hanging by a thread.
Slot has already dealt with numerous injury blows throughout the campaign. But this? This is a crisis dressed up as a lineup.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1)
Woodman; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Doubts: Alisson, Gomez, Endo
Injured: Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni, Mamardashvili
Venue: Anfield
Date & Time: 3pm BST, Saturday April 25, 2026
Why Palace Never Saw This Coming
Crystal Palace will have prepared for a wounded but predictable Liverpool. They’d have studied the derby’s emergency right-back (Jones), the familiar midfield trio, and the safe pair of Alisson or Mamardashvili in goal. Instead, they’re walking into Anfield facing Woodman, a converted right-back in Frimpong, a left-back change in Kerkez, and a midfield pivot of Gravenberch and Szoboszlai behind Wirtz.
That’s not just rotation. That’s reinvention under duress. And if it works, Slot will be hailed as a genius. If it fails? The top-four hunt could be over before May.
One thing is certain: Saturday’s showdown just became the most unpredictable match of the Premier League weekend. Buckle up.