Liverpool boss Arne Slot faces a key selection call ahead of the Reds return to Premier League action.
The defending EPL champions stretched their winning start to the 2025/26 season with a late 2-1 victory over Southampton in the Carabao Cup as Alexander Isak netted his first club goal.
Isak has been used sparingly by Slot following his Premier League transfer record move to Anfield this summer and he was replaced by Hugo Ekitike at half-time.
Ekitike grabbed another late winner for Liverpool, to book Slot's spot in the Fourth Round, but his celebration landed the French striker in trouble.
The 23-year-old was shown a second yellow card by match referee Thomas Bramall, after removing his shirt in front of the Kop, and he will now miss the league trip to Crystal Palace on September 27.
Slot admitted his frustration at Ekitike's error, but the stage now looks set for Isak to make his first start at Selhurst Park, with Ekitike banned for one game.
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Isak has so far not completed 90 minutes of action at Liverpool, as Slot and the Liverpool coaching staff build his match fitness with precision, due to his lack of preseason.
He played 58 minutes against Atletico Madrid on September 20, followed by 23 in the derby win over Everton, and 45 vs. the Saints.
Slot's hand may now be forced, but he is not expected to play the full game against Palace, as the Dutchman warns mid-October is the target date for his No.9 to be at full power.
"I think the best moment where we will to start to see where he's up to and how much he can help us – you can already see he can help – but the best [will be] when he comes back from the Swedish national team," as per the Liverpool Echo.
"Hopefully he will injury free, having played with them many minutes, and he will play for us in the upcoming weeks a few minutes."
Slot is set to recall several key stars away at Palace, after resting them in the cup win over Southampton, and Federico Chiesa and Cody Gakpo can play centrally if Isak is substituted.
Liverpool then face trips to Galatasaray and Chelsea before the October international break with Sweden hosting Switzerland and Kosovo in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification on October 10 and 13.
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