After shuffling somewhat for Thursday's Europa League contest with Atalanta, which ended in a 3-0 defeat at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp is bound to make several changes to his Liverpool starting XI ahead of their crucial meeting with Crystal Palace on Sunday, with the aim of moving back ahead at the top of the Premier League table, having seen their injury issues ease slightly in recent weeks.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one key man returning to full fitness, having made the bench in midweek after being sidelined since mid-February with a knee injury, and he could return to the right-hand side of the back four from the outset on Sunday.
Ibrahima Konate is also available to join Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence, and while first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker is nearing a return from an injury which has ruled him out of their last 14 matches, he is unlikely to be deemed fully fit in time to feature, leaving Caoimhin Kelleher to continue to deputise between the sticks.
Ahead of the potential full-strength back four of Alexander Arnold, Konate, van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, there is plenty of competition for spots in midfield, despite Thiago Alcantara's continued absence and Stefan Bajcetic's fitness concern.
Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister lined up in the engine room against Atalanta on Thursday, while Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Harvey Elliott will also compete for spots, after the latter was deployed on the right wing for that game.
Diogo Jota has also returned from an injury to bolster the Reds' ranks, but he may again have to settle for a substitute appearance on Sunday, with star man Mohamed Salah bound to come back into the front three from the start having netted 17 goals and provided nine assists in his 25 Premier League appearances so far this term.
On the other side, Luis Diaz is more likely to get the nod, after featuring from the start and opening the scoring in their last top-flight outing against Manchester United.
Despite competition from Jota and Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez should again lead the line in their usual 4-3-3 setup, with the Uruguayan boasting 18 goals and 13 assists across all competitions this season including 11 and eight respectively in 29 Premier League appearances.
Liverpool possible starting lineup: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Sam Varley
