Preview, Predictions, and Expected Lineups for Liverpool’s Match Against Crystal Palace

Liverpool will be aiming to keep the pressure on their Premier League title rivals this Sunday when they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield.

The Reds gave up top spot when they drew 2-2 with rivals Manchester United last weekend and they must get back to winning ways against the Eagles. An embarrassing 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta midweek means that confidence is likely fragile in the Liverpool dressing room at present.

Crystal Palace have shown signs of life under Oliver Glasner but still haven’t won a match since his debut victory against Burnley in late February. The London club showed their potential last weekend against Liverpool’s title competitors Manchester City, but still stumbled to a 4-2 defeat after running out of energy in the second half at Selhurst Park.

These two sides played out an entertaining battle during their previous meeting back in December, with the Reds coming out as 2-1 victors against ten-man Palace thanks to Harvey Elliott’s 90th-minute winner.

Here is your guide to Liverpool vs Crystal Palace this weekend.

Jurgen Klopp welcomed Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson and Stefan Bajcetic back to training this week, although not all will be available for Palace.

Alisson is still unavailable as he builds up his fitness levels, while Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to start despite having returned to the bench on Thursday night. Bajcetic was also on the bench against Atalanta, and featured for Liverpool’s under-21s on Friday night.

However, Jota did feature for 20 minutes at Anfield and could be used as a substitute once again this weekend. Thiago, Joel Matip and Ben Doak are all still sidelined.

Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.

Glasner is dealing with a number of injuries ahead of Palace’s trip to Liverpool, with rumoured Reds transfer target Marc Guehi the biggest miss for the Eagles. Cheick Doucoure, who was also eyed by the Reds last summer, is still sidelined after sustaining a serious injury in November.

Sam Johnstone is still out, with Dean Henderson starting at Anfield, while Rob Holding, Chris Richards, Matheus Franca and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi also absent. However, Jairo Riedewald may feature in some capacity after returning to training this week.

Glasner has also suggested that Michael Olise is closing in on a return to the starting lineup after his recent cameo against Man City.

Crystal Palace predicted lineup (5-2-3): Henderson; Munoz, Ward, Andersen, Lerma, Mitchell; Wharton, Hughes; Olise, Mateta, Eze.

Liverpool’s recent reality checks at the hands of Man Utd and Atalanta will offer Crystal Palace hope of pulling off an unlikely upset this Sunday. The Reds’ unbeaten home record this season is now gone and the Eagles certainly have the attacking players to make life difficult for the Reds, especially with Eberechi Eze and Olise in the side.

However, Liverpool’s recent record against Palace is impressive and the Anfield faithful will be keen to inspire the Reds to an important victory on Sunday in the title race. With the quality they possess, they should get over the line.