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Arne Slot has the rather unenviable task of trying to pick a side tonight as Liverpool tries to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup later.
The Reds take on Crystal Palace for the third time already this season, this time at Anfield, although given the way things have been going recently, even the comforts of home might not be enough.
After a fourth straight league defeat at the weekend against Brentford, confidence could not be much lower among Liverpool’s players right now, although tonight does offer some of Slot’s fringe players to make their case - those that are still fit anyway.
The Reds boss is certain to make a raft of changes later as he rests up his usual first-teamers, although he is somewhat limited in his options.
With Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni definitely out, and doubts over Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexander Isak, Slot will have to dip into his reserves, while a couple of his more established stars may well be called upon to try and rediscover some form.
One player we can confidently predict will be starting is Freddie Woodman. The goalkeeper has been busy doing interviews with the club’s channels this week, which is a good indicator that he’ll be making his debut in goal.
There may also be a long-awaited return at right-back for Calvin Ramsay, with the one-time Scotland international potentially set for his first senior Liverpool appearance in three years.
Andy Robertson and Joe Gomez will lend some much-needed experience to the back four, but there is a difficult question to answer over who will partner the latter at the heart of the defense. Having been named on the bench in the previous round against Southampton, Rhys Williams may well get the nod for his first appearance in over four years.
Moving into midfield, Wataru Endo will surely start, it’s just a question of whether it’s in the middle of the park or in defense. We’ve gone with his usual position, where he partners Alexis Mac Allister.
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The Argentina international could do with getting back to his best as soon as possible with Jones now in the treatment room, and tonight might be the ideal opportunity for him, especially with Endo giving him a bit more freedom in the middle.
Assuming Isak will not be risked, the Reds’ attack may take on a slightly makeshift look. Federico Chiesa surely has to start - mind you, we’ve said that before.
Given the options available, we’ve got the Italian leading the line in place of Hugo Ekitike, who is afforded a rest, given his workload will be greater in Isak’s absence.
Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni will likely be given another chance to impress from the start, and if there’s one player who will keep their place from Saturday’s dismal defeat in London, it might be Florian Wirtz.
The German international needs to start producing domestically - Slot may take the opportunity to take another look at him in a wider position as the Liverpool boss looks for any glimmer of hope at the moment.
Liverpool predicted team vs Crystal Palace: Woodman; Ramsay, Gomez, Williams, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Nyoni, Wirtz; Chiesa.
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