Liverpool FC take on Crystal Palace in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night and the Reds have plenty of omissions.
Captain Steven Gerrard will miss the game through a hamstring problem. Gerrard has been ruled out for three to four weeks with the problem and is sure to miss this game along with the Europa League clash with Besiktas and Premier League trip to Southampton. Meanwhile Lucas is out for about six weeks with a thigh problem.
Henderson and Joe Allen are likely to start in the middle for the FA Cup fifth-round game at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Vice-captain Jordan Henderson is going to lead the Reds in Steven Gerrard’s absence and the player has said he is ready to step up in the absence of Gerrard and Lucas.
a To lose Lucas first was a big blow because he has been outstanding for us since he came into the team as that defensive, holding midfielder,a said Henderson.
a Obviously Stevie (Gerrard) is a big loss, even though it is not as long (as Lucas), but there are some big games coming up that he might not be involved in.
a But it is another chance for people to come in and show what they are made of and slot straight into the team. Hopefully someone can do that.
a Maybe I need to take more responsibility with those two players gone.a
Raheem Sterling has also been ruled out of the FA Cup clash. The 20-year-old winger is still out with the foot injury which made him sit out Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday night. Manager Brendan Rodgers doesn’t want to take risks with the player, who could return to action for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Besiktas at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho is expected to be rested for this game as the player has started sixteen straight games and could do with some time out as he has looked jaded against Everton and Spurs.
Mario Balotelli could start the game after the Italian came on against Tottenham and scored the crucial winning goal in the dying embers of the match.
Some fringe players like Jose Enrique could get a start in this game while Dejan Lovren could come into the line-up which would mean that Emre Can would move up in the midfield.
Probable Line-up (3-4-1-2): Mignolet; Lovren, Skrtel, Sakho; Markovic, Henderson, Can, Moreno; Lallana; Balotelli, Sturridge
