Match Preview: Liverpool Take on Resurgent Crystal Palace

Liverpool continued a strong run against West Brom last week, winning 0-1. This week, the Reds take on resurgent Crystal Palace, who have recently beat Arsenal and Chelsea. Let’s break everything down in our match preview.

Liverpool for the third week in a row, enter a match 3rd in the Premier League table. The Reds added 3 more points with their 0-1 win over West Brom, last week. It was just the 5th clean sheet of the season for the Reds. That gives Klopp’s side 66 total points and are 3-2-0 in their last five matches. Also, they continue to add to their league leading number of goals with 69.

A Champions League spot is almost locked up by Klopp ‘s squad, with just 5 remaining fixtures in the season. First, they must beat Crystal Palace on Sunday. The resurgent Eagles are experiencing a lot of recent success beating Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea, and drawing against last season’s champions Leicester City. Palace enter Sunday’s match 15th in the table, and are 3-1-1 in their last 5 matches.

Liverpool Need to Play Top-Form Against the Eagles

As Liverpool fans know, Klopp’s side has not played well against lower-table opponents this season. Flash-back to their horrible January and February. The Reds are currently in a good way, despite injuries and have put together a solid run in March and April.

In the past Crystal Palace have ruined the Reds parade. This time Klopp’s side will face two former players, Christian Benteke and Mamadou Sakho. Both players will likely be motivated by revenge, due to their prior treatment by Klopp.

Klopp said this about Benteke, “He is obviously another player with confidence, in a good run and all that stuff, Like it is always when you play against Zlatan, other strikers, these kinds of strikers – tall, good with their back to the goal – you have to avoid the crosses and you have to avoid the passes. That’s how it works.”

Klopp’s back-line are currently in a bad way, hamstrung by recent injuries. Benteke will prove to be a force that the Reds will have to reckon with on Sunday. Benteke is the Eagles top scoring striker with 12 goals this season.

Fans can breathe easier, Sakho is ineligible to play on Sunday! He is on loan to Palace from Liverpool. Since arriving at Selhurst Park, Sakho has flourished. In 6 appearances, Sakho is averaging 10 important defensive actions, an 82% passing accuracy, and creating 3 chances. During those 6 matches, Crystal Palace are 5-0-1.

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The key for the Reds will be to stop the crosses from the wingers into the box. The Eagles love to feed the ball to Benteke and play opportunity-ball on the counter-attack. Also, Klopp’s side need to break down the Eagles defense quickly, and without Sakho that should be much easier.

Martin Kelly will be filling in for Sakho and was crucial in Palace’s wins over Chelsea and Arsenal. Sam Allardyce had this to say about Kelly, “Martin Kelly is one I would like to single out as he has come back in and done a fantastic job at centre-back after us losing Scott Dann and James Tomkins in the same match at Chelsea.”

Klopp’s mantra is intense gegenpressing or die, making the most of every opportunity. Look for the Brazilian duo of Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho to press hard and shoot frequently. Also, the semi-inconsistent Divock Origi needs a strong game against Palace. If he struggles, Klopp may substitute him for the “lightening in a bottle,” Daniel Sturridge.

There is a lot on the line for both clubs. Klopp’s side are on the verge of a Champions League spot and Allardyce are wanting to avoid relegation. The Reds need to play top-flight football against the Eagles and not fall into the temptation of sloppy ball against lower-table opponents. This match promises to be one of the more entertaining fixtures this weekend in the Premier League.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Adam Lallana of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on April 19, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) /

Injuries

On Thursday, Klopp ruled out Adam Lallana for the match on Sunday. He has returned to training but still is not match-fit. Klopp told reporters, “Adam’s on a good way, yes, back on the pitch but with the coach. Nothing’s changed there. He should be involved next week in normal training. Wednesday, Thursday, something like this.”

In addition, Klopp may be without Ragnar Klavan, Joel Matip, and Lucas Leiva. Commenting on the squad’s health as a whole, Klopp said, “Unfortunately not too positive. A few things from the last game, muscle problems for Joel Matip, a little bit with Lucas Leiva, still a problem with Ragnar Klavan.”

Update: Lucas and Matip may play against Crystal Palace now.

Speaking about Klavan, Klopp informed reports, “It was a very small ligament, really small but could not be enough time for Palace. It will be interesting.” Losing all three of these players, who have stepped up recently will be a significant blow for the squad on Sunday.

Lastly, Klopp gave an update about Danny Ings, he said, “Danny Ings, after a long time in the gym, is running. He enjoys it a lot, but of course not even close to coming back.” Ings is likely done for the season.

Quotes via Liverpool FC News

Match Predictions

Liverpool Starting XI
Mignolet
Clyne, Gomez, Lovren, Moreno
Wijnaldum, Can, Milner
Firmino, Origi, Coutinho

Liverpool 3 – 1 Crystal Palace

Liverpool are the favorites at home. The Reds will win if can limit the crosses, break down the defense, and survive without a number of key players. That is a tall order but this squad has showed grit and determination, more so of recent. I think the Braizlian’s will have a nice match and rack up some goals. On the other hand, keeping a clean sheet will probably not happen, look for Benteke to hit the back of the neat at least once.

Ways To Watch

Date: Sunday, April 23
Time: 4:30pm GMT, 11:30am ET
Venue: Anfield
TV Info: Sky Sport 1 (UK), NBCSN (US)
Streaming Info: NBC Live App

Next: Liverpool Linked to Top La Liga’s Talent

All statiscal information provided by Squawka.com

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