Liverpool missing injured star at worst possible time as Arne Slot juggles new dilemma

Liverpool take on Crystal Palace in the League Cup fifth round on Wednesday at Anfield, with Arne Slot expected to make a number of changes to the side who lost to Brentford

Arne Slot may have his hand forced when it comes to selecting his Liverpool squad for Wednesday’s League Cup showdown with Crystal Palace. The Reds head coach made sweeping changes for his side’s third-round triumph over Southampton last month, with goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike securing a 2-1 victory.

However, while he could repeat this strategy against the Eagles, injuries mean he would need to delve deeper into his squad if he chooses to do so. From the team that defeated the Saints, two players, Giovanni Leoni and Jayden Danns, are now out for the long haul, Jeremie Frimpong is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and both Isak and Curtis Jones are also nursing injuries.

With Slot not hosting a pre-match press conference before the Palace clash, it’s unclear whether either of the latter pair – or Ryan Gravenberch – will be declared fit in time to face Oliver Glasner’s side.

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But they’re not the only ones who might be excused from Palace duties due to injuries elsewhere. With Frimpong out with a hamstring injury, Slot might choose to shield Conor Bradley rather than risk his only other available senior right-back. Similarly, with Alisson Becker still sidelined with a hamstring injury, third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is tipped to make his debut in place of Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Slot made a similar switch in the League Cup fourth round last year, giving Vitezslav Jaros his full debut at Brighton and placing Caoimhin Kelleher on the bench due to the injured Brazilian. So, from the 15 players who took to the pitch against Southampton in the last round, it would not be shocking if as many as seven of those players don’t feature against Palace.

Injuries are also restricting Slot’s options elsewhere. For instance, Joe Gomez could fill in at right-back in place of the injured Frimpong, if Bradley is shielded from injury risk, but he’ll be needed in central defence.

As a result, it’s not out of the question that Calvin Ramsay could make his first Liverpool appearance since November 2022. Meanwhile, Slot has to decide who will partner Gomez in central defence with Leoni out injured.

Natural choices include first-choice pair Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, if they’re not rested, as well as academy players like Rhys Williams and Amara Nallo. But Wataru Endo could also get the nod, with the Japan international having previously had a few stints in central defence rather than midfield.

This then impacts who starts in midfield, especially as both Jones and Gravenberch are nursing injuries. Alexis Mac Allister is expected to be given the green light, having been benched for Liverpool’s last two games, with Trey Nyoni potentially joining him.

However, due to a spate of injuries, options elsewhere are limited – particularly if star player Dominik Szoboszlai is given a rest. The forward line also presents a conundrum, with doubts over Isak’s fitness.

It wouldn’t be a shock if both Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo were given a breather, with Rio Ngumoha in line to start on the left. However, if the manager decides to rest Hugo Ekitike as well, Federico Chiesa cannot cover two positions simultaneously.

Slot fielded Ngumoha and Nyoni in the win over Southampton, with Danns coming off the bench – only to suffer a hamstring injury days later. Meanwhile, Williams remained on the bench alongside other academy prospects Kaide Gordon, Kieran Morrison and Tommy Pilling. Whether similar chances will be given to Liverpool’s young guns against Palace remains to be seen.

Unfortunately, Danns’ hamstring problem means he misses out on a potential opportunity to lead the attack, or at least make an impact from the bench. But he’s not the only young talent who might be left pondering what might have been.

Stefan Bajcetic hasn’t donned the Liverpool shirt since May 2024, and has only made three appearances for the Reds since March 2023 due to injury woes. He spent last season on loan at Red Bull Salzburg before moving to Las Palmas, where he caught the eye only for a hamstring injury to bring his campaign to an early close.

The Spaniard has yet to make his return to the pitch, though Under-21s head coach Rob Page recently suggested he was expected to feature for Liverpool’s second string. “It is a possibility, isn’t it?” Page said last month.

“It is about getting him back on the grass. It’s about exposing him to minutes to get him back to full fitness.” However, his most recent update indicated that Bajcetic is still not ready to make his comeback.

“No, not yet,” he told reporters after Liverpool Under-21s’ 4-1 demolition of Everton on Sunday. “We should know more in the next couple of weeks.” As a result, the 21-year-old is clearly not in contention to take on Palace on Wednesday evening.

Yet whilst he has still to make a competitive outing under Slot, his continued absence is rather unfortunate.

Whilst Ramsay might stand to gain from Frimpong’s enforced unavailability, for instance, the same could have applied to Bajcetic. Given Gravenberch is a doubt owing to an ankle problem, the Spaniard would have represented an option in the middle of the park.

His presence could also have influenced how the likes of Gomez and Endo are utilised. Instead, Bajcetic is simply another name on a gradually-lengthening injury list.

Following a frustrating two and a half years, it marks yet another squandered chance for the Spaniard. While he will be keen to catch up once fit, in the meantime, Slot is left juggling responsibilities without him.

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