Liverpool Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Crystal Palace

Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at Anfield on Saturday afternoon

Liverpool's third fixture in seven days sees Jurgen Klopp's men determined to stop Crystal Palace from becoming the first side to win four consecutive top-flight games at Anfield since Arsenal in December 1935.

The Reds conceded an injury-time equaliser in their season opener away to Watford last weekend, which ended 3-3, before gaining the advantage in the first leg of the Champions League play-off at Hoffenheim.

The 2-1 victory on Tuesday at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena shifted some of the negativity engulfing the club following Philippe Coutinho pressing for a move to Barcelona as well as their inability to fortify the heart of defence and midfield in the window thus far.

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A commanding performance and result in their first home game of the campaign is not just expected of Liverpool, it is needed as they enter a decisive two weeks.

LIVERPOOL INJURIES

Daniel Sturridge was close to being involved in midweek, but Klopp decided additional training would be more beneficial for the striker, who has shaken off a thigh issue.

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The England international will be in contention against the Eagles, with the Reds boss explaining: "Yesterday he was part of the complete session that looked really good.

"But, how it always is after injuries, you have to wait to see how the player is reacting with this intensity."

Coutinho, who has had a hand in four goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Palace, has not returned to training following a back injury.

"Phil is not available," Klopp said. "He’s not in training so far.

"I can have nothing to say about his attitude because since he got the back injury, he hasn’t been in training.

"When I asked the medical department how he’s doing, they had no complaints so that’s how it is. I’ve got nothing bad to say about this."

Adam Lallana is a long-term absentee for the Reds with a thigh injury, while Nathaniel Clyne misses out again with a back problem.

LIVERPOOL SUSPENSIONS

Neither side have any suspension worries for this fixture.

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LIVERPOOL POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

It is difficult to predict what Liverpool's XI will be on Saturday given the exertions of the previous two games as well as the second leg of the play-off to come.

Klopp named exactly the same 18 against Watford and Hoffenheim, with no changes to the starters, but it seems a stretch to do the same for the third time in a week.

However, there are not many alterations he can make given the players that are unavailable, plus his admission that there are "one or two little things" with the squad for the medical department to check from Tuesday's victory in Germany to see if it was "because of the intensity of the game or even more."

Sturridge will bolster Liverpool's forward options, but whether he's sharp enough to start remains to be seen.

Divock Origi and Dominic Solanke could be used to freshen up the attack, with the latter a more exciting choice given his form during pre-season.

Joe Gomez can provide cover across the backline, while new signing Andy Robertson hasn't made the squad yet with Klopp saying he is still learning Liverpool's style.

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CRYSTAL PALACE TEAM NEWS

Frank de Boer's competitive tenure as Palace boss did not begin happily with his side suffering a 3-0 defeat to promoted Huddersfield.

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And it wasn't just the result that stung as Wilfried Zaha has been ruled out for a month after suffering a knee injury during that encounter.

Connor Wickham is yet to return from a more serious version of the same problem, which leaves the visitors lacking attacking options.

BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS

Sadio Mane, who has netted five goals in his last seven Premier League games, has had a hand in four goals in five matches against Crystal Palace in the top-flight (three goals, one assist).
Both teams have found the back of the net in each of the last 10 meetings in all competitions, averaging 3.9 goals per game.
Christian Benteke has scored five goals in his previous three Premier League games at Anfield as an opposition player, more than he has at any other away ground in the competition.