Liverpool have received an unexpected boost ahead of their weekend clash with Crystal Palace, with Sky Sports footage revealing positive updates on Alexander Isak’s fitness and the involvement of promising academy talent Kieran Morrison.
Isak nearing full fitness as Ekitike suspended
Liverpool’s £125 million signing, Alexander Isak, has been steadily working his way back to peak condition since his move from Newcastle. The Swedish forward was once again spotted training fully at the AXA Centre.
Sky Sports noted that he is “still building up his fitness,” but crucially, he’s now “clearly out there training and progressing.”
His return comes at a vital moment, as Hugo Ekitike will miss the Palace match through suspension. The French striker received a second yellow card for taking his shirt off during his goal celebration in the Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
Ekitike later apologized on Instagram for the incident and is understood to have faced internal discipline from manager Arne Slot.
Since arriving at Liverpool, Ekitike has been in excellent form, registering five goals and one assist in just eight appearances. With him unavailable, Slot will likely turn to Isak or Federico Chiesa to spearhead the attack.
Chiesa has been earning praise for his performances, having set up both goals in the Southampton victory and continuing to establish himself as a key figure in the squad.
Academy winger Morrison steps up
There was also a fresh face in training. Journalist Lewis Bower spotted 18-year-old winger Kieran Morrison taking part in the session and highlighted it on X, writing:
> “Kieran Morrison in first-team training ahead of Crystal Palace tomorrow. Briefly pictured.”
Morrison, who attracted interest from Wolves, Burnley, and several Bundesliga clubs over the summer, chose to remain at Liverpool and is expected to sign a new contract soon.
The youngster has already featured on the bench in the League Cup and has stayed with the senior group after Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury, while other academy players have returned to U21 duty.
Primarily a right-sided winger, Morrison has impressed under Rob Page at youth level and his inclusion in first-team preparations underlines how highly he is regarded by the club.
Looking ahead to Palace
With Isak still regaining match sharpness and Ekitike unavailable, Morrison’s presence offers another potential option for Slot as Liverpool prepare to face an in-form Crystal Palace side managed by Oliver Glasner, who are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games.
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