Liverpool are just two points away from leaders Arsenal and next up, they head to Selhurst Park to take on a faltering Crystal Palace side on Saturday afternoon.
The Anfield outfit are undefeated in their previous eight Premier League matches while the Eagles have just one win of their last eight in the league this season and at least on paper, this one should be a regulation win for Jurgen Klopp’s men. A win at the weekend could help Liverpool grab the top spot on the table but the one thing Liverpool cannot afford is to sustain a defeat because a loss on Saturday and the Reds could slip out of the top four.
Liverpool’s team news and injuries: Klopp said after midweek’s win, as quoted by Liverpool’s official website: “It’s an ACL, ruptured, so that’s what I unfortunately expected from the first second. Everything looked like that. Very unfortunate.” Matip’s injury means Liverpool’s defensive options are now running slim because Andy Robertson is already on the sidelines until February with a shoulder injury.
Mac Allister was taken off during the Sheffield United game due to a cut on his knee and while his injury is not serious there are doubts certainly.
Klopp said: “Macca, it was a shame. Early, he stepped on his knee, there was a cut. As long as the wound was open, we just strapped it, obviously, it was painful but he could play. “Then we stitched it but then obviously it got a bit tighter there and then he couldn’t move anymore. Now we have to see how long that will take. I hope not too long.”
If his stitches heal in time then Mac Allister will start otherwise Ryan Gravenberch will come into central midfield alongside Szoboszlai and Endo.
Cody Gakpo lead the line in midweek but we expect Darwin Nunez to lead the line with Luis Diaz and Mo Salah operating as the two wide players. Players like Thiago, Diogo Jota and Alisson are all expected to miss out on Saturday.
Liverpool predicted line up vs Crystal Palace:
Despite all the chaos around them, Liverpool are maintaining a steady run of form and after beating Sheffield United in midweek, Klopp’s side are second on the Premier League table.
The Merseyside outfit have confirmed that Joel Matip has sustained an ACL injury which means he’s played his final game of the season.
Predicted starting line up(4-3-3): Kelleher; Trent, Joe Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister/Gravenberch; Luis Diaz, Nunez, Mo Salah.
