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Arne Slot could be set to hand out another debut in the coming days as the Liverpool head coach tries to deal with his side’s growing injury list.
The Reds are back in Premier League action on Saturday as they travel to Brentford, where they will be hoping to get their title challenge defense back on track after finally returning to winning ways against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday.
There’s no rest for Slot and his players at the moment, with the fixtures coming thick and fast as they then continue their Carabao Cup exploits on Wednesday, facing Crystal Palace for the third time already this season.
With the league and Europe taking priority at this stage of the season, the visit of the Eagles will give Slot the chance to rotate his squad, which will come as a relief after the Reds’ injury list grew a little longer this week.
And with Alisson Becker still out injured, that means there could be a debut in goal against Palace. According to the Daily Mail, Freddie Woodman is being considered to make his first competitive appearance for Liverpool.
Slot is said to not want to risk Giorgi Mamardashvili against Palace, with the Georgia international already stepping up to deputize for Alisson in the Brazilian’s absence.
Woodman starting on Wednesday would follow the same structure that has already been established by Slot, who has turned to his No.2 goalkeeper for the domestic cup competitions. When Alisson picked up an injury last season, Caoimhin Kelleher was also rested against Brighton in the same competition, with Vitezslav Jaros - who joined Ajax on loan during the summer - handed his first start for the club.
Woodman is said to have made a good impression in training since joining the club during the summer, with the 28-year-old described as a “bubbly character who raises standards”.
His debut looks set to come as Slot could be forced into a number of changes over the coming games.
Already without Alisson and long-term absentee Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool had to travel to Frankfurt without Ryan Gravenberch after the midfielder twisted his ankle during the defeat to Manchester United.
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Despite a resounding 5-1 victory in Germany, the Reds’ concerns only grew as Jeremie Frimpong was forced off during the first half with a hamstring problem, while Alexander Isak was withdrawn at half-time after complaining of a groin issue.
"Alex was well prepared to play but the margins are small," Slot said on Isak’s injury on Wednesday. "I am hoping this is not that bad. If he would be out for a few weeks that would throw him back.
“I don’t think there is a rule [for how long it will be until we see the best of Isak]. We were careful of him, Sweden too, we told them he is ready to play twice.
"It is a thin balance if you miss pre season. Some march through it; some get injured again.”
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