Liverpool vs Palace Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Predicted Score

Liverpool entertain Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday afternoon looking to move back to the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds currently sit second, two points behind leaders Arsenal, so can put some pressure on the north Londoners ahead of their trip to the Hawthorns to play West Bromwich Albion on Sunday with all three points.

After a shock defeat to Southampton, Liverpool got back on track with a 3-1 win over Sunderland last weekend with Luis Suarez helping himself to a brace on his return to Premier League action after serving his 10-game ban.

The visitors arrive on Merseyside sitting second bottom of the table having lost five of their opening six games, so boss Ian Holloway is desperate to pick up some valuable points this weekend to boost their hopes of survival.

Team News

Brendan Rodgers will have to make do without the services of midfielder Lucas Leiva after he picked up his fifth booking of the season last week and must serve a one-match ban.

Rodgers has been experimenting with a 3-5-2 formation in recent weeks and if he continues with it again on Saturday, Jordan Henderson is likely to move inside to play alongside Steven Gerrard with Raheem Sterling given a chance to impress on the right.

There is no update on the fitness of Daniel Agger so it’s likely Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sahko will continue in defence.

Suarez will make his first appearance of the season at Anfield since returning from his ban and will play alongside Daniel Sturridge in attack. Philippe Coutinho remains out with a shoulder injury and he’s joined on the sidelines by Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho, Sebastian Coates and Joe Allen.

Palace are sweating on the fitness of Patrick McCarthy, Damien Delaney and Jonathan Parr for the game with the trio classed as doubtful.

Holloway is able to call upon the services of midfielder Yannick Bolasie after he recovered from a hamstring strain but Glenn Murray, Jack Hunt and Jonny Williams all remain out.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Luis Suarez: The Uruguayan made a superb return against Sunderland last week and will no doubt be looking to continue his excellent partnership with Sturridge in attack. He’ll certainly be the one the Palace defence will have to keep an eye on.

Predicted Score

Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace: Football results are usually difficult to predict but the Eagles haven’t won on the road for 16 games and we can’t see this run ending at Anfield. A relatively comfortable win should be in sight for Liverpool to take them back to the top of the league, for 24 hours at least.

What would be your starting eleven and whats your predicted score? Share your views below.