Despite bumps along the road, Liverpool have maintained their perfect start in all competitions after defeating Southampton in the EFL Cup. But that victory wasn’t one that came without more setbacks for Arne Slot and the squad. Hugo Ekitike was sent off after a moment of madness in the match. The Liverpool forward scored a winning goal, but forgetting that he was already on a yellow card, he picked up a second yellow and a dismissal, making him ineligible for the away trip to face Crystal Palace.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool, odds
- Date: Saturday, Sep. 27 | Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Location: Selhurst Park — London
- Live stream: Peacock
- Odds: Crystal Palace +300; Draw +270; Liverpool -115
That creates a few opportunities around the Liverpool squad. Not only could new signing Alexander Isak be in line for his first Premier League start, but there’s also a chance for Federico Chiesa to work his way into the rotation for Liverpool. Isak hasn’t had a proper preseason due to his transfer saga with Newcastle United, so Liverpool have been bringing him along slowly, with the Swedish forward only playing 126 minutes so far this season. He started against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and was able to follow that up with a half of play in the EFL Cup, scoring his first goal for the club.
Chiesa has found minutes hard to come by, but when opportunities have come, he has made the most of them. Scoring a goal against Bournemouth on the opening day of the season and now grabbing a brace of assists against Southampton, Chiesa could break out after struggling to find a role in his first season with the club. An unfortunate ACL tear for 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni in the EFL Cup will see him miss the remainder of the season, but it also opens space for Chiesa in the Champions League squad.
Slot is still working to figure out his best XI this season, which is where performances like this one will be important. Crystal Palace have improved under Oliver Glasnar, even while losing Eberechi Eze to Arsenal. With Liverpool travelling away from him and then also preparing for a trip to face Galatasaray in Champions League play, these are moments where points will be dropped if Slot can’t trust his entire squad but if opportunities lead to improvement from players like Cheisa, that’ll be the route to retaining the Premier League title.
