Former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke will miss Crystal Palace’s clash with the Reds this weekend through suspension.
Jurgen Klopp’s men head to Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime, in what has the potential to be a tricky contest.
Liverpool will be buzzing after their last-gasp win over Tottenham, however, as they returned to the top of the Premier League.
The Reds have been boosted by the news that Benteke will miss the game, having been sent-off in Palace’s 1-1 draw away to West Ham on Wednesday.
The ex-Liverpool man received two yellow cards at London Stadium, meaning he picked up a one-match ban.
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Despite struggling at times in his career in recent years, Benteke has been in a good run of form for Palace.
The Belgian has scored three goals in as many appearances, showing signs of returning to top form.
His suspension is an undoubted positive for Liverpool, especially given Benteke’s physicality without Virgil van Dijk around, and the fact he scored twice for Palace at Anfield back in April 2017 – the last time Liverpool lost at home in the league.
It will be a tough game, especially with Klopp having less than 72 hours to prepare for it, but the striker’s absence can only be a good thing.
