Crystal Palace team news ahead of Liverpool clash – several key players out
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool may not be relishing another early Saturday kick off this weekend, but you can bet Crystal Palace aren't exactly looking forward to the fixture either.
The Eagles are out of form, with just one win in their last eight and five defeats from their last seven. The last thing Roy Hodgson – reportedly on thin ice after the latest loss at Bournemouth – needs right now is the visit of the high-flying Reds.
Palace, like Liverpool, have their own injury issues to contend with and are set to be without several key players for the meeting at Selhurst Park.
READ MORE: Crystal Palace vs Liverpool – Preview
Crystal Palace injuries & absentees
The Eagles' Player of the Year in 2022/23 Cheick Doucoure – linked with Liverpool over the summer – is out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, while star midfielder Eberechi Eze and defender Rob Holding are suffering with ankle issues and likely to be absent too.
On top of that trio, goalkeeper Dean Henderson and youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are bothout injured as well, though neither would've been probable starters.
Regular left back Tyrick Mitchell is also a doubt, having been forced to leave the Bournemouth game in the 29th minute with a muscular issue.
After the match, Hodgson revealed: "It was an unfortunate injury to a player who’s in good form and playing well. We’d be very upset to lose him, but it’s a muscle strain."
Crystal Palace predicted lineup
The Eagles will likely field a 4-2-3-1 formation, with England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone behind a backline including reported Reds' target Marc Guehi.
Jurgen Klopp and co could use Saturday's encounter to get a better look at the centre back, who is supposedly of interest to Liverpool following Joel Matip's ACL injury.
The former Chelsea defender will be paired with Joachim Andersen – the defender, famously, on the receiving end of Darwin Nuñez's headbutt in this fixture last season.
Meanwhile in attack, Michael Olise and top scorer Odsonne Edouard are set to start.
(4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Richards, Lerma; Olise, Schlupp, Ayew; Edouard
Liverpool injuries
READ MORE: Predicted Liverpool lineup to face Crystal Palace
The Reds too go into the game with depleted ranks.
Alisson will continue his period of absence, with his return pencilled in for the following Premier League game against Manchester United. Diogo Jota, meanwhile, is following close behind in his own recovery.
Andy Robertson, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are all set to remain out for the remainder of the month, while Matip, sadly, will surely miss the rest of the season.