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
41' - Mo Salah works himself half a yard on the edge of the area before letting fly with his left foot. The shot is straight at Wayne Hennessey though and the Palace goalkeeper makes an easy save.
44' - Chance for Liverpool!
Sadio Mane loses his marker in the box and heads Mo Salah's corner towards goal. However, Wayne Hennessey makes a smart stop down low to his right to keep Palace's lead intact.
45' - James McArthur picks up a booking for a late challenge on James Milner.
Two minutes of added time to come at the end of this first half.
Half-time - Crystal Palace 1-0 Liverpool
The referee brings an end to the opening period and Palace lead 1-0 at the break through Luka Milivojevic's penalty after Loris Karius had fouled Wilfried Zaha in the box.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool (Mane, 49)
Liverpool have come out on the front foot in this second half and now they have their reward as Sadio Mane turns James Milner's low cross home from close range!
51' - Mo Salah attempts an audacious, volleyed lob over Wayne Hennessey from the edge of the box but the ball loops just over the crossbar.
That would've been one of the goals of the season!
55' - Liverpool really are dominating this match now and you get the sense that a second goal isn't too far away.
Reds left-back Andy Robertson just delivered a delicious cross into the box but none of his teammates were there to apply the finishing touch, much to the Scot's frustration.
59' - A couple of huge chances for Palace!
Firstly, Luka Milivojevic's pass is headed into the path of Christian Benteke by Andros Townsend but the striker spurns the chance to punish his former club as he puts his first-time finish wide.
Just moments later Benteke has another chance to convert at the end of a swift counter-attack but the Belgian again misses the target with his finish.
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