Liverpool need to keep pace in the Premier League title race to avoid their season imploding as they host Crystal Palace this afternoon.
The Reds had a chance to win a quadruple of trophies in 2024 but three of their last five games have put their campaign on the brink.
Jurgen Klopp’s men suffered a dramatic collapse in their 4-3 exit to Manchester United last month that ended talk of an FA Cup success.
It was a similar tale of missed opportunity during Liverpool’s return to Old Trafford three weeks later as they were held to a 2-2 draw in the Premier League.
That result allowed Arsenal to reclaim the top spot in the table, with Liverpool responding with their worst game of the season.
The Carabao Cup winners suffered an unexpected 3-0 loss at Anfield to Atalanta on Thursday to leave their Europa League bid in tatters.
Now, anything other than a return to winning ways against Palace could prove fatal to their Premier League title ambitions.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Give it their best shot
Klopp’s men suffered only their second blank at home in all competitions this season against Atalanta.
It is imperative for the Merseysiders to rediscover their shooting boots as they look to close the goal difference gap to Arsenal.
Wasteful chances cost the club in the 2-2 draw to Man United last weekend that saw Liverpool surrender their grip on top spot.
The Reds remain level on 71 points at the summit with Arsenal but need to make up a difference of nine goals.
Liverpool have had 629 shots in the Premier League this season, at least 70 more than any other side.
Indeed, their average of 20.3 shots per game this term is the third highest on record (since 1997/98) in a single Premier League campaign, after Chelsea in 2009/10 (21.9) and 2008/09 (21).
In particular, Darwin Nunez has had more shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (100), scoring 11 times.
He’s the first Liverpool player other than Mohamed Salah to have 100+ in a single campaign since Philippe Coutinho (106 – 13 goals) and Roberto Firmino (100 -11 goals) did so in 2016/17.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in each of their last 28 Premier League home games, winning 22 and drawing six. However, they’ve not kept a clean sheet in any of their last eight at Anfield, last having a longer run between December 1998 and May 1999 (9 games).
- Liverpool have won 27 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, including in their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in the reverse fixture. There are just three instances of a team winning more in a single campaign – Newcastle in 2001-02 (34), and Manchester United in both 2020-21 (31) and 2012-13 (29).
- Liverpool have conceded around seven goals fewer than expected in the Premier League this season (30 conceded, 36.5 xG against), with only Manchester United having a bigger such difference in the competition this term (46 conceded, 58.2 xG against).
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Team news
The hosts were handed a triple injury boost with the returns of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Stefan Bajcetic, and Diogo Jota to the matchday squad on Thursday – with the latter also making his on-field comeback.
Liverpool still remain without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip both long-term absentees.
Palace were boosted by their own injury return following talisman Michael Olise’s comeback against Man City.
Marc Guehi and Chris Richards are both still doubts, while Sam Johnstone, Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, and Matheus Franca are all still in the treatment room.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored four goals in his last six league games for Crystal Palace, with his seven overall this season his best return in a single Premier League campaign. He opened the scoring for the Eagles in the reverse fixture against Liverpool, with Dwight Gayle in 2013-14 the last Palace player to score home and away against the Reds in a single season.
- Darwin Núñez has had more shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (100). He’s the first Liverpool player other than Mohamed Salah to have 100+ in a single campaign since Philippe Coutinho (106) and Roberto Firmino (100) did so in 2016-17.
- Crystal Palace have conceded around 10 goals more than expected in the Premier League this season (54 goals conceded, 44.3 xG against), with only Sheffield United having a bigger such difference in the competition this term (82 conceded, 61.2 xG against).
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: What has been said?
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk claimed it was important not to over-react following the heavy defeat in the Europa League.
“If you don’t believe, there’s no point going to Italy,” said Van Dijk.
“We have made it very hard for ourselves going there 3-0 down. But the way to bounce back is by winning the game on the weekend.
“We need everyone to switch it back on. Then we can focus on putting out at least four goals over there.”
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League games against Crystal Palace (W11 D2) since a 2-1 home loss in April 2017.
- Since winning three consecutive away league games against Liverpool between 2015 and 2017, Crystal Palace are now winless in their last six at Anfield (D1 L5).
- Having won their first Premier League game under Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace are now winless in their last five. They’ve lost their last two, but haven’t lost more consecutively since a run of four in March last year.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: How to follow
This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, April 14.
Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 2pm.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with covering starting at 1pm.
talkSPORT will keep you updated with all the latest, while talkSPORT.com will provide the best of the reaction as well.
News Summary:
- Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Jurgen Klopp’s farewell in danger of implosion ahead of must-win clash – kick-off time, team news and how to follow
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