Ekitike’s suspension has left Arne Slot with some decisions to make
Alexander Isak is expected to return to Liverpool’s starting lineup as they visit Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s selection has been complicated slightly by Hugo Ekitike’s suspension. The Frenchman was shown a second yellow card after taking his shirt off while celebrating a late winner in the Reds’ midweek Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
His subsequent suspension has opened the door for Isak to lead the line again, despite not being fully match fit. He scored his first Liverpool goal against Southampton and will hope to continue that form in the Premier League.
Slot thinks he is not ready to complete ninety minutes: “[Isak] is able to make minutes again. I still feel 90 – [it] depends also on the pace and the intensity of the game – might be a bit too much. I don’t think it’s smart to play him 90 yet.”
Federico Chiesa, who assisted both goals against the Saints, is expected to help with the attacking workload and will likely appear off the bench.
Having rotated heavily into the Southampton match, Slot should have close to a full-strength squad for the trip to Selhurst Park.
