Liverpool starting XI to face Crystal Palace in gameweek 16 of the Premier League – predicted

The games just keep on coming.

Liverpool finished their 2-0 win away at Sheffield United at around 21:30 on Wednesday evening and are back in action again at 12:30 on Saturday as they travel down south to take on Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp's thoughts on being handed yet another early Saturday kickoff following a midweek fixture were made abundantly clear to anyone who saw his tetchy exchange on Amazon Prime with presenter Marcus Buckland.

Palace, meanwhile, will not be relishing the game either, though likely for different reasons.

Roy Hodgson's side lost 2-0 to Bournemouth last time out – their fifth defeat in seven – with the former Liverpool boss seemingly skating on thin ice.

The Reds' midweek victory over the Blades was dampened by the confirmation of Joel Matip's ACL injury, while Alexis Mac Allister hobbled off in the second half of the game at Bramall Lane.

With six more games to play this month, Klopp must manage his increasingly stretched squad, as they aim to – at the very least – not lose ground in the title race.

Here's how they could line up for the trip to Selhurst Park.

---

Goalkeeper & Defence

A clean sheet and a couple of confidence-building moments against Sheffield United will have done Caoimhin Kelleher the world of good, with the Irishman set to continue in goal.

This should be his final Premier League outing for a while, however, with Alisson scheduled for return against Manchester United.

Virgil van Dijk – fresh from his first goal of the season – will continue at the back, likely alongside Ibrahima Konate, who was dominant against the Blades.

Joe Gomez wasn't overly convincing as a left back on Wednesday and Kostas Tsimikas may return to his post after earning a rest midweek.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, in his best form of the season so far, will continue in his inverted right back role.

With Andy Robertson and Matip both out, there are few backup options now for the Reds in defence, though the rise of Jarell Quansah stops the situation from looking utterly desperate.

Midfield

While we wait for more detail on the knock that Mac Allister took against Sheffield United, it's a fair bet to assume the World Cup winner would be left out at the weekend as a precaution even if there isn't anything seriously wrong.

That would mean Wataru Endo starting consecutive Premier League games for the first time this season. After a slowish start, the Japan captain has impressed in recent showings at the base of midfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai will surely need a rest at some point but it may have to wait a bit longer, with the Hungarian looking like the Reds' most valuable engine room operator currently. The 23-year-old has started all 15 of the Reds' Premier League games in 2023/24.

The left-sided midfield berth remains a toss up between Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones. The academy graduate may get the nod to start here for the balance he brings to midfield.

Attack

Mohamed Salah – still seeking his 200th Liverpool goal – is the only sure thing about Liverpool's front line heading into this game.

While the Reds have done well to spread the goals out lately, the attack is struggling somewhat when it comes to finding the net. Salah hasn't bagged a Premier League goal since 12 November, while Darwin Nuñez is seven in all competitions without a goal.

However, the Uruguayan was his usual chaotic presence when he came on against Sheffield United, earning a fine assist for Szoboszlai after sliding in to win the ball back despite being on a yellow card.

There's a chance he could start on the left of a front three, with Cody Gakpo through the centre – or vice versa.

Nuñez was, famously, sent off in this fixture away at Palace last season.

PREDICTED LIVERPOOL STARTING XI TO FACE FULHAM:

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Nuñez.