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No Ekitike no problem as wonder kid start for Liverpool Against Palace Read more for Team lineup

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Isak Could Start as Liverpool Face Palace Without Suspended Ekitike

Alexander Isak could return to Liverpool’s starting XI on Saturday when they travel to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with Hugo Ekitike suspended.

Isak played the first half of Tuesday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton, marking the occasion with his first goal for the Reds. He was substituted at halftime for Ekitike, who later scored the decisive goal but was sent off for a second yellow card, ruling him out of this weekend’s Premier League fixture.

With Ekitike suspended, head coach Arne Slot was asked whether Isak is ready to start.


“He’s able to get minutes again,” Slot said. “I still think 90 minutes — depending on the pace and intensity — might be a bit too much. Not just for now, but also with the long term in mind. You could push him too far and risk injury.

“He’s deeper into his pre-season now, and normally after two or three weeks, players build up to 60–70 minutes. That’s usually our approach.”

On the injury front, Liverpool will be without defender Giovanni Leoni, who suffered a torn ACL during the Southampton match and is expected to be sidelined for up to a year.

“He’s obviously not in a good place,” Slot confirmed.


Palace Boosted by Sarr’s Return

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will have forward Ismaila Sarr available again after missing the last three matches with injury.

Manager Oliver Glasner said: “He’s trained fully all week, just like Adam [Wharton] and Eddie [Nketiah] did last week. We’ll assess the squad as usual, but he’s ready. Whether he can go the full 90, I’m not sure — it depends on how intense the match gets.”

Yeremy Pino, who was substituted at halftime last weekend against West Ham, is also fit and available.

“Pino had a bone bruise — knee-on-knee contact — which was painful, so he rested Tuesday. But he’s trained since Wednesday and feels fine,” Glasner added.

Palace remain without Cheick Doucoure, Caleb Kporha, and Chadi Riad for the 3pm BST kickoff.

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Premier League Football

I knew I had to join Liverpool from Chelsea – what they said to me blew my mind

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The former Liverpool and Chelsea star has revealed that he never had any doubts about making the switch between the two Premier League giants. In a recent interview, he explained that the decision was driven purely by his desire for a new challenge and the ambition to continue competing at the highest level. Despite the rivalry between the two clubs, he stated that he felt confident in his choice from the very beginning and believed it was the right step for his career.

 

The player also acknowledged that moving from Liverpool to Chelsea was not an easy decision emotionally, given his history with the Reds and the respect he still holds for the club and its supporters. However, he emphasized that football is about growth, opportunity, and adapting to change. Since joining Chelsea, he expressed satisfaction with how things have turned out, highlighting the club’s vision, style of play, and competitive environment as key reasons behind his confidence. He remains grateful to Liverpool for his development but insists he has no regrets about the move. His calm and professional attitude toward the switch reflects his commitment to success and his belief in taking bold steps to achieve career goals.

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West Ham manager has made a bold statement ahead of their clash with Arsenal, confidently declaring that his team will “definitely win” the match.

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West Ham manager has made a bold statement ahead of their clash with Arsenal, confidently declaring that his team will “definitely win” the match. His comments have sparked excitement among West Ham fans and added extra intensity to an already highly anticipated London derby. The manager expressed strong belief in his players’ ability to rise to the occasion, emphasizing that their recent performances have shown great progress and determination. He highlighted the team’s tactical discipline, attacking creativity, and defensive organization as key factors that could trouble Mikel Arteta’s side.

 

While acknowledging Arsenal’s quality and strong form, the West Ham boss insisted that his squad has prepared specifically to counter the Gunners’ high pressing and quick transitions. Training sessions have reportedly focused on exploiting Arsenal’s defensive gaps and maintaining composure under pressure. This confident declaration has set the stage for a fiery contest, as Arsenal will look to respond on the pitch and prove their superiority. Mikel Arteta, known for motivating his players through challenges, is expected to use the rival manager’s comments as extra motivation. Fans on both sides are eagerly anticipating a competitive and passionate encounter that could have major implications in the Premier League standings.

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The preview reasons why they’re not among today’s squad

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Several Arsenal players are also missing from today’s squad due to injuries and fitness issues, which have forced manager Mikel Arteta to make key adjustments. Bukayo Saka remains a major doubt after picking up a knock in training, and Arteta has chosen not to risk him ahead of upcoming fixtures. Gabriel Martinelli is also unavailable due to a hamstring problem sustained during the last Premier League game, while Noni Madueke continues his recovery from a long-term ankle injury. In defense, Piero Hincapié has been ruled out with a minor muscle strain, leaving Arsenal short of options at the back.

 

Thomas Partey is still regaining full match fitness after returning from a thigh injury, so he has been left out of the squad to avoid any setbacks. Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber is making progress in his rehabilitation from a knee injury but is not yet ready for selection. Despite these absences, Arteta remains confident in the depth of his squad. He plans to rely on players like Leandro Trossard, Emile Smith Rowe, and Kai Havertz to step up in attack. Arsenal’s focus remains on maintaining their winning momentum and securing another crucial three points in today’s match.

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