Liverpool play host to Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend as they look to prolong their stay at the top of the table.
The Reds are currently four points ahead of current champions Man City and will be looking to build momentum after securing a 1-0 win against Brighton last time out, while Palace are 14th in the table and only four points off the drop zone.
Roy Hodgson knows his side will be dragged into a relegation battle if the Eagles fail to pick up points in their upcoming fixtures, but an away trip to Liverpool will prove a difficult task.
Read on for Liverpool vs Crystal Palace live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Liverpool vs Crystal Palace?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Anfield
Date: Saturday, 19 January
Kick-off: 3:00 PM GMT
Match Preview
Liverpool began 2019 in disastrous fashion, first losing to title rivals Man City – a defeat which ended their 20 match unbeaten run in the Premier League – and then getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Wolves.
The Reds have somewhat alleviated their early year frustrations with a win on the south coast last weekend; Mohamed Salah scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Brighton at the Falmer Stadium.
Three points was enough to keep City at arms length, but only by four points, and with Pep Guardiola’s side taking on managerless Huddersfield Town this Sunday, Klopp will know just how crucial maximum points against the Eagles is.
Palace met Liverpool in the second match of the current season at Selhurst Park but fired a blank and lost 2-0 to the Anfield club, which extended their losing streak to four matches against the current league leaders.
Hodgson knows his side are capable of upsetting the big boys of the Premier League, having thwarted City 3-2 last month, but with just one win in their previous four league outings, the Eagles are struggling for form and consistency.
Where can I watch live?
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace is not being broadcast live in the UK.
Could Palace expose Liverpool’s injury-hit defence?
Liverpool were forced to field Fabinho in central defence against Brighton, with Dejan Lovren out injured and Joel Matip not deemed fit enough to last the full 90 minutes, and while Klopp’s side did manage to keep a clean sheet, the German has since been hit by further injury concern.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has sustained a knee injury and is set to miss at least two weeks of action, meaning that James Milner will likely operate as the club’s auxiliary right-back.
This will come as a significant boost to Palace, who boast two of the league’s most incisive wingers – Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend – meaning Hodgson will definitely look to exploit the wider areas, which could spell trouble for the Reds.
Could the Premier League’s eldest player feature?
With injury concerns to both Wayne Hennessey and Vicente Guaita, Hodgson could be forced to turn his attention to the Premier League’s current eldest player: Julian Speroni.
The 39-year-old stalwart has been at the club since 2004 but has fallen down the pecking order in recent seasons and is yet to feature in any competition this term, meaning the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino may have the opportunity to pit their wits against a veteran shot-stopper who is desperately short of match practice.
The Argentine is a cult hero in south London, though, and will be relishing the opportunity to test himself against the very best in the division should he feature.
Could ‘Crystanbul’ repeat itself?
Five years ago, Palace crushed Liverpool’s hopes of clinching their first Premier League trophy after coming back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with the Reds, putting City in pole position to win the 2014 title, which they eventually did.
Fast forward to 2019 and the Eagles will once again have the opportunity to put Liverpool’s title hopes in serious jeopardy, and with Christian Benteke returning to full fitness, coupled with the Reds’ current injury woes, Palace have a chance to cause an upset.
Head-to-head
Since their first meeting in 1938 – a goalless stalemate – these two clubs have faced each other on 53 occasions, with Liverpool winning exactly double the number of games Palace have won, including the previous four matches.
Liverpool wins: 28 Draws: 11 Palace wins: 14
Team news
Liverpool will once again be forced into a defensive rejig with the aforementioned injury to Alexander-Arnold, meaning that either Milner or Fabinho will be deployed at right-back, but with Matip returning to full fitness it may be the latter who is given the nod.
Fabinho has previously been utilised at right-back for Monaco and occasionally plays there for Brazil so would not be unfamiliar with the role, while Matip will likely come in for the injured Lovren and Joe Gomez.
Georginio Wijnaldum is a doubt after picking up a slight knee injury in the match against Brighton, while the club are still assessing the fitness of Adam Lallana, who could make the bench.
As mentioned, Palace may be without both their first and second choice goalkeepers (Vicente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey) meaning Speroni could make his debut for the season, while Benteke is in contention to start.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane; Salah.
Predicted Palace XI: Speroni; Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Kouyate, Milivojevic, McArthur; Zaha, Ayew, Townsend.
Squawka Predictions
Liverpool will need to clinch points against opposition lower down the league if they have any aspirations of winning their first Premier League title, and so, with a full-strength attack, Klopp’s side should have enough firepower to overwhelm Palace. Liverpool 3-0 Palace.
Predictions and betting tips
Get the BetBull sign-up offer HERE – Ts&Cs apply. +18 only. BeGambleAware.org
1. Mohamed Salah to score two or more @ 3/1
Salah is as lethal as ever, scoring 14 Premier League goals this season, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. The Egyptian marvel has carried over his scintillating form from last campaign and is on course to break the 20-goal mark again.
With the potential of Speroni in goal, this could open the floodgates for Liverpool as the 39-year-old is yet to feature this season.
Key stat: Mohamad Salah has scored eight in his last nine matches across all competitions
Tip: Mohamed Salah to score two or more @ 3/1 with BetBull – Bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
Odds correct as of 22:00, 17/1/19
2. Liverpool to score over 2.5 goals @ 10/11
Liverpool have already netted a half-century of goals in the Premier League this season as well as only failing to find the back of the net in one match – the 0-0 draw with Man City at the start of the campaign.
Palace, meanwhile, have conceded nearly triple the number of goals of Liverpool and currently have a minus eight goal difference.
Key stat: Liverpool have scored the second-most goals in the Premier League this season
Tip: Liverpool over 2.5 goals @ 10/11 with BetBull – Bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
Odds correct as of 22:00, 17/1/19
3. Liverpool to win 3-0 @ 11/2
Palace have scored just once in their previous four encounters with Liverpool, while the Reds have fired seven past the south London club in that time, and with the Merseysiders in excellent form, their opponents could be in trouble.
Key stat: Crystal Palace have only scored once in their previous four matches against Liverpool
Tip: Liverpool to win 3-0 @ 5/1 with BetBull – Bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org
Odds correct as of 22:00, 17/1/19
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