Liverpool vs Crystal Palace predicted XIs: Confirmed team news and probable line-ups
After a midweek humbling at the hands of Atalanta, Liverpool’s clash with Crystal Palace at Anfield has taken on even greater significance.
The Reds’ season is at risk of unravelling, especially with Palace proving to be tricky opposition for Manchester City last weekend. Can Oliver Glasner’s Eagles act as spoilers at Anfield?
Vital game in Liverpool’s silverware search
After lifting the EFL Cup in February, Liverpool fans were hoping for a farewell quadruple for Jurgen Klopp. Less than two months on, two visits to Old Trafford and a heavy Europa League defeat have derailed those dreams.
The Reds’ 3-0 loss to Atalanta on Thursday has all but ended their Europa League chances, them having already exited the FA Cup. While they can hope for a miracle in Bergamo next week, the Premier League is their last viable route to a trophy heading into the weekend.
Given how fierce the race for the league title is, Reds legend Jamie Carragher has called on Jurgen Klopp to forget the Europa League and go all-in for domestic glory.
“Awful result and performance from Liverpool, the only consolation about getting beat so heavily is Jurgen should play a full second string in the second leg and go all in for the league!” Carragher wrote on social media.
However, Liverpool also lost top spot last weekend after they could only draw at Old Trafford. Arsenal claimed the summit, while City are within a point of the top two after their 4-2 victory over Palace.
The Eagles took the lead in that win over City and before that clash, Palace hadn’t conceded within the first hour of a game since Glasner took charge. Given that they’ve also taken the lead in three of their last four away games, the Eagles could cause problems for a Reds side that can ill-afford another slip.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace team news
Klopp made a raft of changes for Liverpool’s midweek Europa League clash, with Mo Salah, Dominik Szobozlai and Andy Robertson among those brought off the bench against Atalanta.
Both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota were back in the matchday squad on Thursday and they are in line for starts against the Eagles. However, the hosts remain without Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara.
Palace are dealing with a lengthy injury list, leaving Glasner unable to name what would be his strongest XI since he arrived at Selhurst Park. The Eagles have lost Marc Guehi to injury, with the central defender one of seven absentees for the visitors this weekend. Sam Johnstone, Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding and Matheus Franca are all out for Palace and the Eagles are also missing Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Chris Richards.
However, Michael Olise did get back on to the pitch against City last weekend and he could make his first start under Glasner and just his second start of 2024.
The visitors are likely to stick with the 3-4-2-1 system their new boss has implemented. Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to lead the line, having scored in four of his last six league games.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Predicted XIs
Liverpool (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Szobozlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz.
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Lerma; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Eze, Olise; Mateta.
