Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace: Match Preview, Lineup and Prediction as Liverpool Seek to Ease Champions League Nerves at Anfield

Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time header at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend was the stuff of derby folklore. The centre-back’s last-gasp winner over Everton put the Reds seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea with five games remaining, and suddenly, the Champions League picture looks a touch more comfortable. Now comes the next test: Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday, 3pm BST.

Comfortable is a word that doesn’t apply to Liverpool‘s history with this particular opponent. Palace have already beaten them twice this season, and Liverpool are winless in their last three Premier League home meetings against the Eagles. Ismaila Sarr has made himself something of a nemesis in red, racking up seven career goals against Liverpool across all competitions, and he is expected to start here after Glasner rotated for Monday’s goalless draw with West Ham.

Palace arrive with their own priorities firmly in order. They face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League semi-final first leg on April 30, which means Glasner must balance rotation with results. That said, with the top half of the table within reach, nothing will be given away cheaply at Anfield.

Liverpool and Crystal Palace injury updates

Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation has become something of a soap opera. Giorgi Mamardashvili is definitely out after picking up a nasty knee cut against Everton, while Alisson Becker is a late call, with Freddie Woodman confirmed fit and on standby. Outfield, Hugo Ekitike, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are all confirmed absentees, while Joe Gomez is a doubt with a muscle issue.

For Palace, Cheick Doucoure, Evann Guessand and Eddie Nketiah are all out, while Adam Wharton is expected to be available despite his adductor scare, though there are murmurs about managing his minutes ahead of the European semi-final.

Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace predicted lineups

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Richards; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta

Prediction

Anfield needs this win, and the Reds have the quality to deliver it. But Palace are no pushover, Sarr will fancy his chances, and Glasner’s side defend well on the counter. Liverpool enter on the back of a dramatic derby win and have lost just once in their last ten Premier League home games, but those Palace head-to-heads are hard to ignore.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace