Liverpool will be looking for their third successive win when they host Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Reds will be looking for another three points as they continue to make their push for Champions League football next season and with Man City not playing a league game this weekend, Liverpool will know that a win will increase the gap between themselves and Pep Guardiola’s side.
Jurgen Klopp has a number of injury issues to deal with ahead of the game. Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana are still not ready to be included, Sadio Mane is out for the season and now Joel Matip, Lucas and Ragnar Klavan are all struggling with injuries.
At this stage of the season, all that matters are the three points and whichever side Klopp picks, they’ll know that they have to do the business against a Palace side that are in good form and who also have a decent record at Anfield.
With that being said, here’s the XI that I think Klopp will select:
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
Simon Mignolet has been in great form the last few weeks, hopefully, he can continue that in this game.
Right Back: Nathaniel Clyne
I thought Clyne was excellent against West Brom, he’ll have a tricky task up against Andros Townsend so will need to be on his game again.
Centre Back: Dejan Lovren
Palace will try to get the ball to Christian Benteke as often as possible. It’ll be up to Lovren to stop the Belgian impacting the game.
Centre Back: Joe Gomez
With Matip, Klavan and Lucas all struggling with injuries, it looks like Joe Gomez will be given his first league start of the season.
Left Back: James Milner
Wilfried Zaha has been in good form so Milner will need to play well to keep him quiet.
Midfield: Emre Can
With Henderson and Lucas out, it looks like Emre Can will be asked to move back into the deeper midfield role.
Midfield: Gini Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season. If he can win the midfield battle, Liverpool have a great chance to dominate the game.
Midfield: Marko Grujic
Marko Grujic has been on the bench recently and with Liverpool’s injury worries, I think he’ll be asked to start. We’ve not seen much of him this year but he will being some much needed physicality to the side.
Right Forward: Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino was outstanding against West Brom and although he nominally starts on the right, he’s given the licence to roam.
Left Forward: Philippe Coutinho
In what could be a tight game, Liverpool will look to Philippe Coutinho to produce some magic to break down a stubborn Palace defence.
Striker: Divock Origi
Palace have their own issues at centre-half with Scott Dann injured and Mamadou Sakho injured. Divock Origi will hopefully be able to capitalise on that.