Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE - team news, protest plans, commentary stream

LIVEUpdated 6 mins agoLiverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE - confirmed teams, protest plans, TV channel and commentary streamLive coverage of Liverpool vs Crystal Palace at Anfield as Freddie Woodman starts in goal, with Alexander Isak and Mo Salah leading the attackCommentsSportIan Doyle Chief Liverpool FC Writer, Ryan Paton Entertainment and celebrity reporter, Connor O'Neill Senior Sports Content Creator and Paul Wheelock Head of sportWelcome to our live coverage of Liverpool vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Kick-off at Anfield is 3pm.

The Reds will be desperate to avenge the three defeats they have suffered to Palace already this season, but they have bigger priorities than revenge. Victory would move Arne Slot’s side eight points clear of sixth-placed Brighton in the battle for a top-five finish in the Premier League, which guarantees qualification to the Champions League.

Liverpool go into the game with confidence high after their dramatic 2-1 victory at Everton in last weekend’s Merseyside derby.

Mo Salah and Alexander Isak lead the Reds' attack, supported by Florian Wirtz, while it's third choice Freddie Woodman who is in goal, with Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili both absent due to injury.

Ian Doyle and Ryan Paton are at Anfield to bring you all the build-up to kick-off, including team news when it drops at 1.45pm, followed by an in-game commentary stream and the best post-match reaction and analysis.

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New UpdatesKey EventsLiverpool team line-up vs Crystal Palace confirmedView PostToday14:44 BSTAs things standSo, as things stand, Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League table, but a win here this afternoon, as Paul says, could lift them as high as third.

But Manchester United can overtake the Reds if they beat Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday night.

However, a victory here would move Arne Slot’s side one step closer to Champions League football next season.

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday14:43 BSTPalace distractionCould Palace have one eye on next Thursday's Conference League semi-final?

To be honest, probably not. They don't seem the type. And they absolutely love playing against Liverpool.

This was always a big game for the Reds but that Villa result has made it massive. This is a huge chance to make a big statement going into the final four games of the season.

CommentsIan DoyleToday14:39 BSTMemories of last seasonLiverpool vs Palace in the spring sunshine brings back memories of the last time these sides played at Anfield in the Premier League in the final game of the 24/25 season. Things are different for the Reds this time around as Arne Slot's side were preparing to lift the Premier League last May.

While this campaign has been below expectations, the side will still be motivated to get something today and further solidify their chances of Champions League qualification next season.

CommentsRyan PatonToday14:37 BSTAll over at Craven CottageAnd Fulham have beat Aston Villa 1-0.

That means should Liverpool beat Crystal Palace, they would move up to fourth place in the Premier League table and level on points with Manchester United in third.

CommentsPaul WheelockToday14:22 BSTInside the Liverpool dressing roomNot long to go until kick-off at Anfield

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday14:21 BSTCould Liverpool capitalise? The final whistle has just gone at Craven Cottage and Aston Villa have dropped points to Fulham. This means Arne Slot's side could potentially end this afternoon in 4th place if they were to secure a win against Crystal Palace.

A win would take Liverpool onto a level 58 points with Villa and into 4th place on goal difference., further securing their position in the top 5 and chances of Champions League qualification next season.

CommentsRyan PatonToday13:59 BSTWelcome to AnfieldHello, it's Ryan Paton from the Liverpool ECHO reporting from the press box at Anfield. It's a sunny day in Liverpool and perfect conditions for a 3pm kick off.

Crystal Palace have developed into somewhat of a bogey team for the Reds this season and Liverpool will be hoping to overcome Oliver Glasner's side for the first time this campaign and solidify their hopes for the Champions League next season.

CommentsRyan PatonToday13:59 BSTCrystal Palace team newsCrystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Munoz, Kamada, Wharton, Mitchell, Johnson, Mateta, Sarr.

Subs: Benítez, Clyne, Riad, Sosa, Devenny, Lerma, Hughes, Pino, Strand Larsen.

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday13:50 BSTLiverpool team ponderingsBit of a surprise there wasn't more rotation in the full-back areas, but with Liverpool playing just one game a week now I guess they aren't too tired.

Mac Allister coming back in is definitely interesting. He's been off the pace of late.

And nice to see young Will Wright get a first call-up. He's looked decent at under-21 level whenever I've seen him.

CommentsIan DoyleToday13:45 BSTLiverpool team line-up vs Crystal Palace confirmedThe Liverpool team is locked in.

Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Subs: Pecsi, Gomez, Kerkez, Chiesa, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Wright.

CommentsIan DoyleToday13:36 BSTInteresting statAn interesting stat ahead of this afternoon’s game: Liverpool are winless in their last three Premier League home games against Crystal Palace, having won five in a row against the Eagles before that.

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday13:25 BSTScene inside AnfieldA look inside Anfield ahead of kick-off.

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday13:21 BSTOliver Glasner makes Liverpool predictionOliver Glasner believes Liverpool will be under plenty of pressure to end a three-game losing streak against Crystal Palace this afternoon.

The Eagles secured a 3-0 victory in their last meeting, October’s last-16 Carabao Cup encounter, adding to September’s Premier League win at Selhurst Park and the Eagles’ Community Shield penalty shootout triumph.

And Glasner said: "I think when you talk before a season and say, 'OK, we win once against Liverpool,' you would say, 'Yeah, it's good’.

“And if you say we’d win twice against Liverpool, you would say, 'Well, it would be very good'. And you say we win three times against Liverpool, it's amazing.

"And now we have the opportunity to win four times against Liverpool in one season. I think that's something unique. First of all, you don't play a team like Liverpool four times a year very often.

"And on the other side, then having already three wins, that's massive for us, and that's why we're really highly motivated, because maybe this will never happen again, and it's a massive chance."

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday13:16 BSTLiverpool vs Crystal Palace match oddsLiverpool 1/2

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CommentsConnor O'NeillToday13:08 BSTLiverpool team ponderingsWhat should Slot be doing?

There will be debate over who plays at full-back and in midfield but I'd be keeping changes to a minimum.

Kerkez perhaps.

CommentsIan DoyleToday13:08 BSTAdam Wharton boostCrystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has revealed Adam Wharton will be available for this afternoon's game.

Wharton missed Monday night's 0-0 draw against West Ham in the Premier League after he was withdrawn during the UEFA Conference League quarter-final against Fiorentina in Italy.

But in a boost, Glasner has confirmed that Wharton will be back available for the game at Anfield, but Nathaniel Clyne is a doubt.

He said: "Adam [Wharton] is good. He is fit and trained yesterday without any issues, so he’ll be available for Liverpool.

“All the others are the same, so we’ve got no new injury concerns, which is good news. Of course, two injuries we still have are Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand. So they will miss this game.”

While on Clyne, Glasner said: "One question mark we have is Nathaniel Clyne. He was ill yesterday, but then was better in the evening. He’s being assessed at the moment. But also it looks like he is available.”

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday13:04 BSTHugo Ekitike injury latestLiverpool have had more than their fair share of injuries this campaign but the Achilles problem sustained by Hugo Ekitike against Paris St Germain 10 days ago is set to rule him out well into next season.

But when asked for an update on Friday, Slot said: “The surgery went well. That is the first and important step he had to make.”

“It is going to take a long time and then it all depends on how rehab goes.”

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday12:58 BSTHarry Redknapp's predictionSpeaking via BetVictor, Redknapp said: "Liverpool’s season has obviously been very disappointing but winning that Merseyside derby like that will give the fans a real lift. They’ve got a good chance of securing Champions League football next season.

"Palace will look to end the season, and Glasner’s tenure, on a high note. I’m sure they’ll prioritise Europe, so I’m not quite sure what Palace 11 we’ll see in these league games. A routine Liverpool win.

"One to watch- It was nice to see Mo Salah get one last goal against Everton. He’s only got a few more home games left."

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday12:51 BSTArne Slot's pre-match previewWhile writing in his programme notes, Arne Slot said: "Having won our last two league games, our objective now is to build on the performances and results we had against Fulham and Everton so that we can finish the season on a high.

"This is not to say that even if we achieve this aim we will have had the season that we wanted or even close to it, but it would allow us to take something tangible and important from it, as well as some momentum to take into the next one.

"For this to happen we have to continue to show the same qualities that we showed in last weekend's Merseyside derby – togetherness, defiance, team spirit and a willingness to work and fight even when things appear to be going against us.

"I joked after the game that given how unlucky we have been with injuries that our U8s should prepare themselves in case they are needed, and the reality is that we keep on having to dig deeper within our squad to find solutions.”

Before he added: "Today's game will be another test in this regard as we will almost certainly be without Giorgi and will definitely not have Hugo Ekitike, who is going to be out for a while.

"The loss of Hugo for an extended period is a big blow, especially as he was having such a promising first season with us, so I know that I speak for everyone when I wish him a speedy and full recovery.

"While he and others are out, we need to keep pushing ourselves so that the team is in a strong situation when they do return. In the first instance, this means making the most of games like this one against an opponent which we know from experience only ever provides a proper test in whichever competition you come up against them."

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday12:49 BSTWelcome very muchA very actually warm welcome to the latest game in Liverpool's season.

Yes, it's the Premier League and it's Crystal Palace.

Palace don't concede many goals and don't score many either and have already beaten Liverpool three times this season.

Well, doesn't that just sound like a recipe for a cracker.

CommentsIan DoyleToday12:43 BSTVirgil van Dijk's pre-match thoughtsWriting in his column in the matchday programme, the Reds skipper said: "This has not been the season we all wanted or envisaged, but the aim now is to make sure that we end it in a positive manner. And that means Champions League qualification. Nothing else will do.

"We welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield knowing that victory would put us in a strong position to secure that top-five place, and there can be no excuses from any of us.

"It's not the target we had in mind at the start of the season, but it's what we are fighting for now, so we have to deliver, we have to perform and we have to get the three points.

"I hope you all enjoyed last weekend's win over Everton. There is no better feeling than winning a Merseyside derby, and especially away from home and in the manner that we did, scoring so late. It felt good and it felt important.

"We know we haven't given you guys enough to shout about recently, so it was nice to see you all celebrating a big and important victory in the sunshine. Your support, as ever, means the world to each and every one of us, and we always want to repay it with what we do on the pitch.

"I hope you can see how much we are fighting, and how much we want to turn things around. We have suffered a lot of setbacks and disappointments this season, but one thing we must always do is stick together no matter what. If we do that, we will come out the other side stronger."

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday12:40 BSTGreetingsGood afternoon and welcome to the ECHO’s live coverage of Liverpool’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace. It is set to be another interesting afternoon at Anfield. So let's get to it.

CommentsConnor O'NeillToday12:36 BSTLiverpool injuriesSo if Alisson Becker doesn't make a surprise return today, Liverpool will be six first-team players in total for this afternoon's encounter.

The five men definitely ruled out are: Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

CommentsPaul WheelockToday12:36 BSTBig day for Freddie Woodman?The dramatic 2-1 triumph at Everton was marred by an injury to Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has been deputising for Alisson Becker.

So if both of Liverpool's top-two goalkeepers sidelined this afternoon, then Freddie Woodman looks poised to make his full debut for the club.

“Giorgi will definitely not be available and for the upcoming week,” Reds boss Arne Slot replied when asked for an update on his keepers at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“Ali is close to a return of play, let's see if tomorrow comes too early, yes or no. That leaves Freddie as an option.”

Slot continued on Woodman: “For a reason we signed an experienced third goalkeeper. That's why we were happy to pick him up on free transfer.

“Apart from him being a good goalkeeper, he has the experience to play in Premier League, and he is a very good man and very liked in the dressing room and that's also a role important for the third goalkeeper. He's ready for it, but it will always be helpful if the fans support him tomorrow.”

CommentsPaul WheelockToday12:36 BSTGood afternoonAnd welcome to our live coverage of Liverpool vs Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The Eagles have beaten the Reds three times this season, but surely this is the afternoon that changes, right?

Liverpool have been far from at their best this season but they should come into this contest with confidence high after beating their rivals Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend.

Winning the first-ever Merseyside derby at the Blues’ new home would have been a sweet enough feeling alone, but to do it with one of the last kicks of the game? You’d really expect the Reds to play with a spring in their step today.

Let’s find out!