Injuries to Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard are likely to result in major changes for the Reds…
Liverpool take on Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, when they will be looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The Reds have been in fine form domestically, with just one defeat inside 90 minutes since mid-December. They will be looking to continue that run against Alan Pardew’s side, but it won’t be an easy task.
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Brendan Rodgers’ side were taught a harsh lesson last time they faced Palace, suffering a disappointing 3-1 defeat. However, the Londoners are a much changed side since that meeting at Selhurst Park, with Pardew now at the helm of the Eagles. Here’s the side we expect Liverpool to start with:
GK) Simon Mignolet
The Belgian has been in very good form in 2015, and being dropped seems to have done him some good. Despite conceding two goals against Tottenham on Tuesday, he made one brilliant save to help secure all three points.
RCB) Dejan Lovren
The £20m summer signing has been firmly out of favour since the emergence of Emre Can, but with something of a midfield injury crisis dragging the German further up the pitch, we expect Lovren to finally get his chance.
LCB) Mamadou Sakho
Sakho has looked a little on the shaky side in the last couple of games, so will be eager to rediscover the form that has made him a regular in the Liverpool side over the last couple of months.
CB) Martin Skrtel
The big Slovakian was a formidable presence at the heart of the Liverpool defence once again this week, and more of the same will be required here to help cope with Palace’s physical style of play.
DM) Emre Can
Injuries to Lucas and Gerrard leave Can as one of only two realistic options for this role; the other being the out-of-form Joe Allen, who will likely be on the bench. Can impressed in the final 30 minutes against Spurs when pushed higher up the pitch, and will be looking to do the same again here.
MR) Jordon Ibe
Ibe has been nothing short of a revelation since he was brought into the starting line-up against Everton, impressing in both the Merseyside derby and again against Spurs three days later.
ML) Alberto Moreno
With a lack of options on the left for Liverpool, it’s hard to see anyone displacing the Spaniard in the side. Jose Enrique has struggled on the rare occasions that he’s been given a chance, while Jon Flanagan is still out.
CM) Jordan Henderson
Henderson will take over the captaincy – as he will no doubt do for the foreseeable future – and will be looking to drive his team forward, acting as the engine room in the heart of the midfield.
RAM) Adam Lallana
Lallana’s injury problems have seen him in and out of the side in recent weeks, but he looked good coming off the bench against Tottenham. The former Southampton star set up the winning goal for Mario Balotelli, which should earn him a start against Palace.
LAM) Lazar Markovic
The Serbian scored his first goal at Anfield during Tuesday’s win, and will likely get the nod over Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian could do with a rest, providing Markovic another chance to prove what he can do in a more advanced role.
ST) Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge made his first start in five months on Tuesday, but still looked a little short of his emphatic best. He’ll be aiming to continue his recuperation form injury in this game, with Balotelli no doubt waiting in the wings for another opportunity.
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