Crystal Palace host Liverpool, as the Reds seek victory against the Eagles to keep the pressure tight on second-placed Manchester United on the Premier League table.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be hoping some of the injuries in the squad to face Crystal Palace would not become a problem when the two sides meet. Liverpool are on the trail of second-placed Manchester United on the Premier League table as only two points separate the two traditional rivals.
Emre Can and Joe Gomez are out of the Palace game with respective injuries that kept them out of their national team’s matches during the recent international break. Gomez’s injury is the serious one among the two, which will make him miss the next few games.
Klopp, during his team news update, addressed this issue to the press, stating, “At the moment, it’s serious – and serious enough to rule him out for the next couple of games,”
This could mean an extended run for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the right-back position, as other right back, Nathaniel Clyne is still not fit enough to feature.
Clyne has been out since the beginning of the season, although he has played a few games for the U-23 side since his return from injury. Klopp, however, suggested he his making significant progress but is still short of playing in the Premier League. “One or two games more would be nice, but the situation is like it is. He has been back for a few weeks already, but he has come closer and closer.”
Finally, on Emre Can, Klopp dismissed fears that it would a long-term problem, saying, “Emre is out for the weekend. He is getting better and better and better, much better. Hopefully he can have a normal session with us on Sunday morning and then should be fine again.”
Loris Karius has established himself as Liverpool’s No.1 goalkeeper, at least for the rest of the season and is expected to start against the Eagles. Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to take Joe Gomez’s place as the English fullback is out injured. Left-back Andrew Robertson has recovered from a dead leg and will feature against Palace.
Virgil Van Dijk, after a good showing with the Netherlands, will lead Liverpool’s defence and is likely to be partnered by Joel Matip. Another centre-back Dejan Lovren is a doubt for the game and Ragnar Klavan slowly going out of favour with Klopp.
Emre Can’s absence could mean Giorgino Wijnaldum is coming in his place and will be partnered by Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in central midfield. Klopp has been using a midfield trio for most parts of the season and is likely to continue with this system.
Up front, Klopp is likely to stick with his formidable trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, despite the big Champions League quarterfinal with Manchester City just around the corner. Salah will be looking to move further ahead of the injured Harry Kane in the race for the Premier League golden boot.
