Liverpool will have either Alisson Becker or Freddie Woodman in goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday, after Giorgi Mamardashvili was ruled out of the Premier League match at Anfield. Arne Slot said the 21-year-old goalkeeper will definitely not be available for the 3pm BST kick-off, leaving the club to decide whether Alisson is ready to return from injury after missing the last six games.
Slot said Alisson is close to a return to play, but he stopped short of guaranteeing the Brazil international would start. He added that Woodman is definitely fit, making the third-choice keeper the fallback if Liverpool decide not to risk Alisson. The manager also said Armin Pecsi will be among the substitutes this weekend, giving Liverpool another option on the bench if the injury situation changes again.
The problem grew urgent last weekend when Mamardashvili was stretchered off at Everton with a leg wound, forcing Woodman into action at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Slot said the injury will keep Mamardashvili out tomorrow and for the upcoming weeks, a setback that arrives just as Liverpool try to reset after a spell of absences in goal. The club have already spent six games without Alisson, and Woodman could be asked to go again against Palace if the first-choice keeper is not judged ready.
There is some relief elsewhere in the squad. Joe Gomez is available again after missing the Merseyside derby, with Slot saying his return is helpful because Liverpool were down to just two centre-backs and no defensive cover on the bench last week. Wataru Endo is also starting to work outside on the pitch with the rehab team after being sidelined since February, though Slot said he will miss next week’s meeting with Manchester United and the week after. Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees.
Palace arrive with a similar boost of their own. Oliver Glasner said Adam Wharton is fit after missing Monday’s goalless draw with West Ham United, and trained without any issues. The Palace manager said Wharton will be available for Liverpool, while Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand will miss the game. That leaves both teams with enough good news to believe they are moving in the right direction, but Liverpool’s decision in goal may shape the afternoon more than anything else.