liverpool vs palace takes center stage at Anfield on Saturday with Liverpool facing a late call in goal and Crystal Palace bringing one key player back into contention. Arne Slot said on Friday morning that Alisson Becker is close to a return, but the final decision will come too late to fully settle the plan before the 3pm BST Premier League kick-off. If Alisson is not cleared, Freddie Woodman is ready to start, while Palace are set to welcome Adam Wharton back after he missed their goalless draw with West Ham United on Monday.
Late decision in goal for Liverpool vs Palace
The clearest uncertainty around liverpool vs palace is Liverpool’s goalkeeper situation. Alisson has missed the Reds’ last six games through injury, and Giorgi Mamardashvili will not be available after being stretchered off with a leg wound in the victory at Everton last weekend.
That leaves Woodman as the immediate alternative if Alisson is not deemed fit. Slot said the third-choice goalkeeper is “definitely fit, ” adding that Liverpool signed him to be an experienced option who is ready for the role. The head coach later confirmed 21-year-old Armin Pecsi will also be among Liverpool’s substitutes at Anfield.
Squad boost for Liverpool, but several absences remain
Liverpool do have one notable boost beyond the goalkeeper picture, with Joe Gomez available again after missing the Merseyside derby. Slot said Gomez’s return is “really helpful” because last week he had only two centre-backs available and no defender on the bench.
There is still a long list of absentees. Wataru Endo remains out as he continues his recovery work away from the team, and Slot said he will not be available next week for Manchester United or the week after. Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are also long-term absentees. For liverpool vs palace, that means the squad picture is improved in one area but still stretched in others.
Palace bring back Adam Wharton
Crystal Palace head into liverpool vs palace with a clearer injury picture. Oliver Glasner said Adam Wharton trained on Friday without issues and will be available, after missing the draw with West Ham United.
Glasner added that Palace have no new injury concerns, while Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand remain unavailable. That gives Palace a timely midfield lift for a match where Liverpool’s own selection decisions are still hanging in the balance.
What to watch next at Anfield
The next update will come from Liverpool’s final call on Alisson, because that decision could define the shape of liverpool vs palace before kick-off. If the No. 1 is not passed fit, Woodman is expected to step in again, while Palace will arrive with Wharton back and a steady injury list. For both sides, the final team sheets may matter as much as the form on paper.
