Crystal Palace vs Liverpool LIVE: Mohamed Salah goal secures victory for Reds after early scare against Eagles
Follow the latest from the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park looking to put pressure on Manchester United in the race for second place as Jürgen Klopp’s side continue their pursuit of a top-four finish, but Crystal Palace know that a surprise victory will give them a huge boost in the battle for Premier League survival.
With Joe Gomez injured after picking up an ankle knock on international duty, Trent Alexander-Arnold starts at right-back and Nathaniel Clyne returns to the bench ahead of what could be his first appearance of the season, while the combination of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and top scorer Mohamed Salah will look to inflict maximum damage on Palace.
There’s a boost for the home side though with Wilfried Zaha passed fit to start as he joins Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend in attack for the Eagles, who can jump up to 13th with a victory.
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Preview...
Two teams occupied with business at different ends of the table. Liverpool have played a game more than their Top 4 rivals, and will look to push up to 2nd with a win at Selhurst Park.
Palace have won six of their last 12 meetings against The Reds and will take some confidence in to Saturday, having ended a four match losing run against Huddersfield recently.
Liverpool come in to Saturday’s game having got back on track following their derby day loss with a 5-0 win against Watford. Dejan Lovren and Emre Can could both return from their injuries, with Joe Gomez looking like missing out having pulled out of England duty in the week.
Palace also have their injury worries, with Wilfred Zaha having been sent home from Ivory Coast duty with a knock.
Liverpool, despite Palace’s past successes, will be firm favourites with their forward line firing on all cylinders at the moment. Mohamed Salah sits four goals ahead of Harry Kane with 28 league goals this year, which he’ll be looking to add to here.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 12:30 on Saturday 31 March.
It’s a big game for...
Mohamed Salah – there’s absolutely no pressure on the Egyptian, he could sit on his hands now and still have had a sterling first year in the Premier League. However, he’s well within touching distance of the all-time record for goals in a season (34, jointly held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole).
Best stat...
1.28 – Liverpool’s average points per game tally after international matches, compared with their normal Premier League average of 1.87.
Remember when...
Palace managed a superb late rally to recover from being 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in this fixture back in 2014. The result put a big dent in Liverpool’s title hopes, and left Stephen Gerrard sat on his haunches wondering what might have been.
Player to watch...
Christian Benteke – up against his former club, the Belgian target man will have to do a job in holding the ball up for Palace. They are unlikely to have much of the possession (Liverpool had 72% of the possession last time the teams met), and Palace can’t afford for Benteke to go missing.
Past three meetings...
Liverpool 1 (Mane) Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, August 2017
Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 2 (Solanke, Oriji), Asia Trophy Semi-Final, July 2017
Liverpool 1 (Coutinho) Crystal Palace 2 (Benteke X2)
Form guide...
Liverpool: DWWWLW
Palace: DLLLLW
Odds...
Crystal Palace: 27/5
Liverpool: 1/2
Draw: 7/2
8' - Huge chance for Palace!
Yohan Cabaye's lofted long ball finds Wilfried Zaha, who holds off Trent Alexander-Arnold before getting a shot away. However, Loris Karius is equal to the effort and tips the ball behind for a corner.
11' - What's Sadio Mane doing there?
Virgil van Dijk rises highest to meet James Milner's corner... but his goal-bound effort is diverted away from goal by teammate Mane.
12' - Penalty to Palace!
Christian Benteke's flick-on finds Wilfried Zaha, who is then clattered in the area by Loris Karius, who collects a booking for his troubles.
Luka Milivojevic will take the spot-kick...
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Liverpool (Milivojevic pen, 14)
Luka Milivojevic sends Loris Karius the wrong way from the spot to give Palace the lead!
19' - There's plenty of time still on the clock here so it's no surprise that Liverpool haven't panicked since going a goal behind.
The Reds have had most of the possession but they're yet to have a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Palace, on the other hand, have had two.
24' - Sadio Mane wants a penalty after a reckless challenge in the box by James McArthur... but the referee is having none of it and books the Liverpool attacker for diving.
There was certainly some contact there and McArthur can perhaps consider himself lucky to get away with that one.
29' - Liverpool are beginning to turn the screw here and Roberto Firmino looks particularly threatening.
He's already had a couple of sighters from the edge of the area, the latest of which was powerful enough to knock former Red Mamadou Sakho off his feet.
30' - Sadio Mane heads the ball into the net for Liverpool... but the goal won't count as the linesman's flag is up!
Roberto Firmino had flicked James Milner's corner on to Mane but the Senegal international was in an offside position when Firmino made contact with the ball.
37' - Christian Benteke goes into the referee's book for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
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