£45m player comes back to start as Arne Slot makes Darwin Nunez decision: Liverpool's predicted XI vs Palace

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Liverpool return to domestic football on Saturday as they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Reds are riding a wave at the moment having won each of their last five matches in all competitions.

As Saturday’s game is the day’s lunchtime kick-off, Liverpool have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League with a win.

Arne Slot went surprisingly strong with the team that beat Bologna in the Champions League on Wednesday and has a few decisions to make for this one as a result.

With that in mind, here’s how we think the Liverpool head coach will line his team up against Palace, including a big call about Darwin Nunez.

Defence

Having put a recent knock behind him, Alisson Becker has returned looking like his old self. The Brazilian will be between the sticks in London.

It had perhaps been expected that Slot might rotate one of his full-backs against Bologna, with Andy Robertson the most likely candidate.

But after starting both Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Dutchman took both players off during the second-half. That would suggest that they were being rested to go again at Palace.

In between the left and right-back Slot also needs to be certain in his decision. Ibrahima Konate has not often been able to play so much football in such a short space of time.

Nevertheless, Konate is so crucial to Liverpool this season and we think he’ll start again alongside Virgil van Dijk.

READ MORE: Arne Slot delivers ‘completely honest’ verdict on what’s going on with Darwin Nunez

Midfield

Slot needs to be careful not to ask too much of his three starting midfielders at the moment.

Only Dominik Szoboszlai was afforded a slight rest during the midweek game, having been replaced by Curtis Jones in the final few minutes.

But despite that, each of Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are all huge members of the Liverpool squad right now. We don’t see Slot changing any of them.

Attack

With the defence and the midfield kept exactly as it is from Wednesday, the bigger questions come in the Liverpool attack.

First things first, there’s no chance that Mohamed Salah is not in the side. The Egyptian is in good goal scoring form once again and will fancy adding to his tally against the Eagles.

It was a surprise to see Luis Diaz start over Cody Gakpo in midweek, but the Colombian’s relatively early withdrawal on 72 minutes would suggest another start is being lined up for him.

Then, through the middle, the biggest decision of them all. Nunez was not great against Bologna and having missed his opportunity to cement himself in the team, it feels likely that £45mDiogo Jota will come back in to replace the Uruguayan.

Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz