Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Preview
On Saturday afternoon, the Top of the Table Reds take on Crystal Palace. With Liverpool being only four points clear on top, and Crystal Palace being only four points clear of relegation, its a massive three points up for grabs. With Man City not playing until Sunday morning, this is am excellent chance to keep the pressure on them. Weatherwise, it looks to be a chilly day inside of Anfield with temps around 40F at kickoff, but no precipitation really is in the forecast.
Injury News
The back four for Liverpool is thinning out by the day. News broke this week that Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the next four matches at least. He suffered knee injury during the warm up against Brighton on the weekend. Lovern and Gomez are both still sidelined with a hamstring and fractured leg respectively. Although Gomez is slated to return to training this week. Gini picked up a knock to his knee and is doubtful to feature. Adam Lallana makes the list as well, but in more urgent news, the sun will rise again in the east tomorrow.
On the Crystal Palace side of things, the most notable injuries are to their number 1 and number 2 keepers. Which means that 39 year old Julian Speroni (the oldest player in the EPL this year) will get to play in the first time in over a year. While that might have some Reds’ fans chomping at the bit, one must remember that Speroni has a history against us. He was in goal when Crystal Palace beat Liverpool in the ’05 league cup. He was also between the sticks on that dreaded day at the end of the 2014 season…you know which one…3-3. But, on a positive note, he was in goal when Rickie Lambert opened up his account in a Liverpool shirt, so there’s that. Speroni is also the last carry over from the Palace squad that earned promotion back in 2013. The only other name popping up on the Palace injury front is Christian Benteke. The former Reds frontman did come on as a sub against Watford, so he should at least be on the team sheet, if not in fact starting.
Previous Form
Liverpool’s previous five league match results are as follows. W(1-0 BHA). L(1-2 City). W(5-1 ARS). W(4-0 Newcastle). W(2-0 Wolves).
Crystal Palace previous five league match results are as follows. L(1-2 Wat). W(2-0 Wolves). L(0-1 Chelsea). D(0-0 Cardiff). W(3-2 Man City).
Lineup and Score Prediction.
Although Palace was able to go in to the Etihad and come away with a shocking result, lighting will not strike twice for them. This Liverpool team can start to see the finish line. With Klopp leading the way, and with the leadership in that locker room, I think ‘Pool will take care of business. I expect the Kop to be in full voice and the lads to come out firing on all cylinders. Palace will be “just another victim.”
The starting 11 will see Mr. Clean Sheet, Alisson in net. The back four will consist of Robbo, Fabinho, Big Virgil, and “The there isn’t anything he can’t do” James Milner. I look for the mid-field trio to be Keita, Our Captain Hendo, and Shaq. And it goes without saying that the front three will be, Mane Mane, Si Señor Bobby, and the Egyptian King himself, Mo Salah. The Reds will take the three points, 3-0. MOTM will be Sadio Mane. You Guys heard it here first! UP THE REDS!
Y.N.W.A.
-Hooch-