Liverpool predicted line-up vs. Crystal Palace: two major changes made as £34m star returns

Liverpool could extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine matches with a win over struggling Crystal Palace this weekend. The Reds have not been beaten in the top flight since the end of September, and currently sit second in the table, just two points behind leaders Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp's men continued their burgeoning title challenge with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in midweek. Virgil van Dijk initially have Liverpool the lead in that clash with a first half strike, before Dominik Szoboszlai wrapped up all three points late on with a second in stoppage time.

For their part, Palace have been on a fairly woeful run of form in recent weeks, and are winless in four Premier League outings. The Eagles were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline against newly revitalised Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, and haven't tasted victory in the top flight since beating Burnley a little over a month ago. They currently sit fourteenth in the table, nine points clear of the relegation zone.

But how will both sides line up at Selhurst Park in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off? We've taken a look at their respective team news and predicted XIs below...

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool head into the weekend with a number of persistent injury concerns to consider. In goal, Alisson Becker is not expected to be back in action until later this month, with Caoimhin Kelleher deputising in his absence. Meanwhile, Andy Robertson's recovery from a shoulder issue is expected to sideline him until the new year, and Joel Matip might not play again this season after sustaining an ACL injury in last Sunday's dramatic 4-3 win over Fulham. Addressing the Cameroonian's injury in midweek, Jurgen Klopp said: "It's what I unfortunately expected from the first second. Everything looked like that. It's very unfortunate."

Elsewhere, midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are unavailable due to hip and calf problems respectively, and Diogo Jota is expected to miss out on the trip to the capital with a muscular injury. Referencing the forward's absence against Sheffield United, Klopp said: “He was running yesterday outside – on his birthday. And everything goes in the right direction, but nobody told me he will be back in team training today. No, there is still some time."

Liverpool's only other concern is Alexis Mac Allister, who limped off on the hour mark at Bramall Lane, although it remains to be seen whether it is enough to rule him out of Saturday's clash.

Liverpool Predicted XI

Caoimhin Kelleher; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas; Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch; Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz.

Crystal Palace Team News

Palace have a number of injury issues of their own to deal with ahead of the weekend. Creative talisman Eberechi Eze is a major doubt due to an ankle injury, while summer signing Rob Holding is ruled out with a similar complaint. Midfielder Cheick Doucoure could be out for the season with an achilles problem, while Dean Henderson and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are also expected to be unavailable. Full-back Tyrick Mitchell is a slight doubt due to muscle strain.

Crystal Palace Predicted XI

Sam Johnstone; Joel Ward, Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, Michael Olise, Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew; Odsonne Edouard.