Isak Back, Barcola Wide and One Big Midfield Question for Iraola

After the week Liverpool have had, a fairly settled team sheet is welcome news. Heading into Sunday’s game at Selhurst Park, there is really only one selection worry for Andoni Iraola, and it concerns Ryan Gravenberch.

The Dutch midfielder sat out the Champions League loss to Fenerbahce with a heel complaint and is still touch and go for Crystal Palace. Speaking at his Friday press conference, Iraola made clear that Gravenberch is the lone doubt and that the rest of the group is in the same shape as before. He explained that it will be assessed day by day and boils down to whether the player can tolerate the discomfort well enough to contribute. In his words, it is “a matter of pain”.

That is about as clear as these things get. This is not a long-term concern or a tactical call. It simply depends on how he feels in the final hours before kick-off.

How Liverpool could cover in midfield

If Gravenberch misses out, Iraola has two obvious routes. The safer one is to pair Trey Nyoni with Alexis Mac Allister. The more intriguing option, and the one we would lean towards, is moving Dominik Szoboszlai into a deeper role and handing Florian Wirtz the number ten position. That would put more creativity between the lines and give the attack a sharper shape, and after a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal followed by another loss in Europe, a little freshness would not hurt.

Isak set to return up front

Alexander Isak should walk back into the starting line-up. He came off the bench against Fenerbahce and found the net for his first Champions League goal of the campaign, taking him to seven in 13 games overall. His scoring run was halted against Arsenal, but his overall output this season remains excellent.

Bradley Barcola is expected back out wide with Cody Gakpo on the other flank. That restores natural width, something that should suit Isak far more than the narrow look Liverpool had in midweek.

Our predicted Liverpool XI

Despite recent scrutiny over a couple of costly mistakes, Alisson is still expected to start in goal. Milos Kerkez and Ronald Araujo should return in the full-back roles.

Predicted XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.

Out: Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley. Doubtful: Ryan Gravenberch.

Kick-off at Selhurst Park is 2pm GMT on Sunday 8 November.