Liverpool will host Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, coming fresh from the Atalanta defeat, in search of the much-needed victory.
The Reds will be jumping into today’s match against the Eagles, keeping in mind their PL title stride even though it looks a little shaky at the moment.
After the recent 3-0 defeat against the Italian side Atalanta in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final at Anfield and the 2-2 draw against archrivals Manchester United last weekend have brought their morale down.
Today’s potential victory will see them secure the crucial three points in the toe-to-toe title race where they will reach 74 points after 32 games played.
As things stand currently, Manchester City lead the PL points table with 73 points after 32 games played.
Arsenal stand second with 71 points after 31 games played. Trailing behind the Gunners, with the same amount of points, are the Merseyside giants who are lacking in goal difference.
The victory in the gameweek 33 fixture against the Selhurst Park side will not only help them in the title charge but also, boost their energy and enthusiasm from the recent downfall.
As Jurgen Klopp stated right after the midweek defeat,
“Yes, we have to show a reaction. Definitely, 100 per cent, that is clear. But I cannot plan the reaction 20 minutes after the game. I will think about that. It is now not the first time in my life that I lost a football game, unfortunately.
“And yes, we will show a reaction, I can promise.”
The unfortunate list of long-time injured players has positively reduced to only Thiago Alcantara, Ben Doak and Joel Matip.
The recent returns of Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Stefan Bajcetic and Diogo Jota have ignited new hope among fans and pundits alike.
Among the four returnees, Jota is the only one who has made an appearance. Klopp commented on his situation,
“I think Diogo was absolutely fine [for] 20 minutes, it helped him a lot and now we will see what we can do from there.”
Even though Alisson and Trent were not included in the Europa League squad, this is what the German tactician had to say about that.
“There was no chance to play Trent [against Atalanta]. He was on the bench because we were allowed to put 23 players into the squad. He had two sessions.
“Diogo didn’t have more really but the information from the medical department is [he was a] step ahead, so he can play a little bit longer.
“Alisson is on the way back as well. So, we have to see that.”
Bajcetic was unused as a substitute on Thursday night, however, he managed to get 30 minutes of game time and an assist for Liverpool’s U21s as they beat Manchester United 3-0 on Friday.
There are no fresh injury updates coming from the club so they would have a pretty solid squad.
Liverpool are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Alisson Becker returning in goal, Andy Robertson and Conor Bradley will be deputized as fullbacks, and Ibrahima Konate will pair with Virgil van Dijk as centre-backs.
In midfield, Wataru Endo will take charge of the defensive-midfielder role. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will be operating as No. 8s in front, providing attacking creativity and defensive solidarity when needed.
For the front three, Klopp will deploy Darwin Nunez as the No. 9 while Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will operate at the flanks.
Predicted Line Up
Projected Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Bradley, Mac Allister, Endo, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez, Salah.
