Liverpool vs Crystal Palace preview: Jurgen Klopp's men face Eagles test

Liverpool have a chance to once again go seven points clear of Manchester City in the title race - for 24 hours at least - when Crystal Palace visit on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's men have been top of the tree since December 8 and bounced back from two straight defeats with a professional 1-0 victory at Brighton last weekend.

With City playing on Super Sunday against Huddersfield, Liverpool know another victory in a 3pm Saturday kick-off - they have won their last nine games kicking off at that time - will put the pressure back on their title rivals.

In the visiting dugout will be former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, who spent an uncomfortable five months at Anfield in 2010, taking charge of just 20 Premier League games before being sacked.

Hodgson did his former club a big favour over the Christmas period when Palace surprisingly won at Manchester City but he heads back to Anfield knowing he has lost both previous meetings with Klopp's side.

Palace arrive in good form, though, having taken 10 points from their last six games after only registering six points from their previous 11 games.

Team news

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum are expected to miss the visit of Palace.

The pair have sustained knee injuries of differing severity and, although Klopp insists they will be assessed "day-by-day", it is unlikely they will be considered.

Midfielder Adam Lallana is back in training after a muscle injury, but centre-back Dejan Lovren (hamstring) will not be available until the end of the month.

Goalkeeper Julian Speroni will start for Palace as he makes his first appearance since December 2017.

The 39-year-old is the Premier League's oldest player and will feature after Vicente Guaita suffered a calf strain and Wayne Hennessey a muscle injury in last week's defeat by Watford.

Christian Benteke is pushing to start for Palace, having returned from injury as a substitute in that 2-1 home reverse.

Opta stats

Liverpool have won five of their last six Premier League games against Crystal Palace, including the last three in a row. They've never won four consecutively against the Eagles in the top flight
Palace have won three of their last four Premier League visits to Anfield to face Liverpool, though they did lose this fixture last time out in August 2017
Liverpool are looking to win seven consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since January 2014
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 31 Premier League home games - they last had a longer run in the top flight between February 1978 and December 1980, a club record run of 63 home games without defeat
Liverpool haven't conceded more than once in any of their last 16 Premier League home games, keeping 12 clean sheets in that time (four goals conceded)
Palace are looking to win three consecutive away Premier League games for the first time since May/August 2015, and the first time within the same season since February 2015
Palace have failed to score in six of their last seven Premier League games against sides starting the day top (W1 D1 L5), with the exception being a 2-1 win at Chelsea in April 2017

Merson's prediction

This is a dangerous fixture. It could be a problem for Liverpool. Palace have the tools to hurt them. They've got major pace and match-winners in Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha. They've also got an unbelievable manager in Roy Hodgson, who doesn't get the credit he deserves. He knows how to win these types of games. I think they'll score.

However, if Liverpool are serious about winning the league they must win the game. If they do it could also be a psychological advantage over Man City, who lost to Palace.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

Liverpool 4

Crystal Palace 3