Liverpool will look to bounce back strongly after the midweek defeat when they host Crystal Palace at Anfield at the weekend.
Liverpool were held to draw by Manchester United in their last league game, and they crashed through a disappointing defeat at home against Atalanta in the first lake of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, meaning they cannot afford to slip up against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The home fans will be expecting a strong reaction from the players here, and it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back with a positive result here. With the title race finely poised, Liverpool cannot afford to drop any more points if they want to stay in touch with Arsenal and Manchester City.
This is Jurgen Klopp’s final season at the club, and Liverpool will be hoping to give him the send-off he deserves. Winning the title would be ideal and it remains to be seen whether the Reds can grind out results.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Joel Matip misses out with a knee injury, and Thiago Alcantara has a hamstring problem. They are unlikely to feature again this season. Liverpool are likely to line up in the usual 4-3-3 formation against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Alisson Becker could return in goal here. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson are likely to start as the full-backs and they will help out at both ends of the pitch. Virgil van Dijk will start in central defence alongside Ibrahima Konate.
In the midfield, Wataru Endo will protect the back four and provide defensive cover. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will add creativity and control to the side.
In the attack, Diogo Jota will lead the line for Liverpool after a couple of mediocre performances from Darwin Nunez. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will start in the wide areas.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Crystal Palace
Sam Johnstone misses out after his elbow surgery, Cheick Doucoure has a calf problem, Marc Guehi is ruled out with a knee injury, Rob Holding has an ankle injury, Chris Richards has a knee problem and Matheus Oliveira misses out with a groin strain.
Dean Henderson will start in goal for the Eagles, behind a back three of Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen and Jefferson Lerma.
Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell will start as the full-backs. They will look to nullify the wide threat and protect the central defenders. Adam Wharton and Will Hughes will start in central midfield and they will look to keep things compact in the middle of the park.
Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise will start as the attacking midfielders and they will create goalscoring opportunities in the final third with their vision, passing and trickery.
Jean-Phillippe Mateta will lead the line for Palace.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Lerma; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Eze, Olise; Mateta
Key Stats
- Liverpool are undefeated in their last 15 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Liverpool are undefeated in their last eight matches in the Premier League.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in ten of Liverpool’s last 12 games in the Premier League.
- 14 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
- Crystal Palace are without a win in their last five league matches.
Player to Watch
Diogo Jota
The 27-year-old returned from his injury blow with a cameo against Atalanta in the midweek, and he is expected to start. He is Liverpool’s only natural finisher, and they need him to score goals right now.
The Reds have looked toothless in the last two games, and they need a reliable finisher leading the line for them. The Portuguese international has 14 goals in all competitions, and he is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace
Liverpool have looked quite vulnerable defensively, and Crystal Palace will be looking to take advantage of that. The Reds will be the favourites despite the last two performance performances, especially at Anfield.
The home fans will be demanding a strong reaction from the players, and Liverpool have no option but to win this game to stay in the title race. The home team should be able to grind out or win here, but Crystal Palace will look to make life difficult for them.
