Liverpool have a chance to go on an eight-match unbeaten run when they host Crystal Palace on Sunday. As the FA Cup semifinals will see the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal play on the weekend, the Reds have the opportunity of increasing the gap between them and the other top four contenders. It won’t be an easy task though, as Crystal Palace are themselves on a winning run with and have picked up four points in their last two league games against Leicester City and Arsenal.
Palace have won on their last two visits to Anfield as well and will be looking to complete a hat-trick of victories at a stadium which is something that not too many sides have managed. The good thing for Liverpool is that Sam Allardyce has never won as a manager at Anfield in his 13 attempts with various clubs.
Jürgen Klopp’s men have also won their last two encounters with the Eagles and welcomed back Adam Lallana to training this week. On that note, here is the predicted Liverpool lineup for their home game against Crystal Palace.
Goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet has improved leaps and bounds in recent weeks and after his match-winning performance against Stoke City, the Belgian was colossal against the Baggies and produced a fine one on one save against Matt Phillips to clinch yet another clean sheet.
Defence
With Ragnar Klavan out injured, Liverpool will have the pairing of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip as the central defenders. Matip isn’t 100% fit though and the gaffer will hope he has his best centre-back pairing against an in-form Christian Benteke. Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner will continue their roles as the fullbacks for the Reds and will have their task cut out against the likes of Andros Townsend and Wilfred Zaha.
Klopp has a big headache as Matip’s usual replacements, Klavan and Lucas, aren’t fully fit either. If they don’t make it, we could see Joe Gomez playing at the back while Milner could take up a midfield role which would mean the error-prone Alberto Moreno might start at left-back.
Midfield
Liverpool are still without the duo of Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana but the ambidextrous former Southampton man Lallana could return for the game against Watford. Lucas Leiva has been brilliant in recent weeks but is a slight injury worry for the game against Palace. Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can will play alongside the Brazilian with the midfield trio being effective for Liverpool of late.
Attack
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino will start on the flanks as they did against West Bromwich Albion. Divock Origi will spearhead the attack for the Reds with Daniel Sturridge ready to play a bit-part role from the bench. Ben Woodburn will be the other attacker available for the Reds if Jürgen Klopp needs an option from the bench.
