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Liverpool vs Crystal Palace predictions: Eagles a threat to title-chasing Reds
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Aidan Perkins
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Jurgen Klopp has urged his side to bounce back against Palace after Atalanta defeat
Jurgen Klopp has urged his side to bounce back against Palace after Atalanta defeat

- Liverpool have lost just twice in Premier League this season
- Palace have won just one of their last nine league games
- Recommended bet:
Liverpool to win and both teams to score

Liverpool must quickly forget about Thursday's Europa League humbling at the hands of Atalanta and switch focus back to their Premier League title challenge when Crystal Palace visit Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds suffered their first home defeat in all competitions on Thursday when Atalanta stormed into Merseyside and claimed a deserved 3-0 win to leave Jurgen Klopp's dream of finishing his final season in charge with European glory in Dublin hanging by a thread.

Klopp said there was "nothing" positive to take from the huge setback but was also at pains to stress his players must move on quickly as there is still a league title up for grabs.

Palace are the tricky opposition his side face next and, after last weekend's dropped points at Manchester United, Liverpool can barely afford another slip-up with rivals Manchester City and Arsenal looking so sharp.

Team news

Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson all came off the bench at half-time on Thursday to try and help Liverpool turn the tie around and all three should start on Sunday.

Also expected to return to the line-up is Luis Diaz, while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota are both fit again and are pushing for a place in the XI.

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson has recently made a welcome return to training but this game is likely to come too soon for him, while Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Ben Doak are all out.

Palace star Michael Olise is pushing for a start at Anfield but Cheick Doucoure, Matheus Franca de Oliveira, Marc Guehi, Rob Holding, Sam Johnstone and Chris Richards have been ruled out.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is a doubt but Jairo Riedewald may be available for the visitors.

The stats

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 league games against Palace, winning 11 and drawing two.

Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet at home in the league since December 17 against Manchester United — a run of eight games.

There have been at least four goals in nine of Liverpool’s last 12 league matches and in five of their last seven at home in the top flight.

Seven of Palace's last 12 games, meanwhile, have also featured at least four goals.

Palace have only failed to find the back of the net in one of their last 10 league games.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson as Palace boss earlier this season
Former Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson as Palace boss earlier this season

Prediction

Liverpool were way off their usual standard against Atalanta but it was a rare off-day and they can get back on track with a home win over the Eagles, although their pourous defence may concede once again.

Worryingly for a team going for the title, the Reds have not kept a clean sheet in the league at home in nearly four months and are well used to having to dig themselves out of a hole when falling behind first in matches recently.

Palace scored first against Man City last weekend before going down 4-2 and this could follow a similar pattern.

The Londonders were also 1-0 up against Liverpool at Selhurst Park in early December before late goals from Salah and Harvey Elliott rescued victory for Klopp's side.

It may well be nervy once again at Anfield but the Reds have enough credit in the bank and have proved themselves time and again this season to suggest that they can quickly put Thursday's poor display to one side and come through when it really matters in the league this weekend.

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