Slot may be forced to go strong against Palace

Kick-off 8pm (Sky Sports)

- By THEO SQUIRES ECHO reporter

ARNE SLOT'S hand could be forced somewhat when it comes to naming his Liverpool squad for tonight's League Cup clash with Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman made wholesale changes for the Reds’ third-round victory over Southampton last month, as goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike secured a 2-1 win.

And while there would be nothing stopping him from doing so again against the Eagles, injuries have ensured he would have to dive deeper into his squad depth if he wished to do so.

From the squad that beat the Saints, two players are now long-term absentees in Giovanni Leoni and Jayden Danns, Jeremie Frimpong is set for his own extended stint on the sidelines and both Isak and Curtis Jones are also injury doubts.

With Slot not holding a pre-match press conference ahead of facing Palace, it remains to be seen if either of the latter pair - or Ryan Gravenberch - would be passed fit in time to face Oliver Glasner's side.

But they are not the only players who might be spared duties against Palace due to injuries elsewhere.

With Frimpong sidelined with a hamstring injury, Slot could opt to protect Conor Bradley rather than risk his only other available senior right-back.

Likewise, with Alisson Becker also still absent with a hamstring injury of his own, third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is expected to debut in place of Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Slot made a similar change in the League Cup fourth round last year when Vitezslav Jaros was handed his full debut away at Brighton and Caoimhin Kelleher was instead named on the bench in the absence of the injured Brazilian.