Liverpool hits the road for the first time in nearly a month when they travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. The Reds will line up in their normal 4-3-3 and most likely stick with the same line-up they have been using in league games.
Loris Karius will return in net after Simon Mignolet got the start midweek against Spurs in the League Cup. Mignolet has voiced his frustration at his lack of playing time and Karius’ play hasn’t separated himself as the sure-fire No. 1, but he is Jurgen Klopp’s man for the moment.
Editor’s note: this Liverpool starting XI prediction and corresponding analysis was composed by Will Willems (@willdub88)
After sitting out midweek, the normal back four will be all ready to go against Palace. The foursome of Clyne, Matip, Lovren and Milner has played together the last three matches and are the clear first-choice unit for the Reds this year.
Jordan Henderson will return to anchor the midfield after sitting out a one-match ban against Tottenham. He will be flanked by Lallana and Wijnaldum, who returned from injury to be one of the few regulars to play in the League Cup tie. Emre Can has looked better against West Brom in his second start of the season and could get a look for Wijnaldum, but if Wijnaldum is recovered from Tuesday, he is the choice.
Up front, Liverpool should return to their best top-3 in Mane, Firmino and Coutinho. Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge looked strong as a tandem up top against Spurs, but the Mane with the two Brazilians up top has been the best option for the Reds all year.
GK Loris Karius
RB Nathaniel Clyne – CB Joel Matip – CB Dejan Lovren – LB James Milner
MF Georginio Wijnaldum – MF Jordan Henderson – MF Adam Lallana
RW Sadio Mane – FW Roberto Firmino – LW Phillipe Coutinho
As always, feel free to post your own Liverpool starting XI in the comments section below. Speak your mind on the formations and line-ups that are already presented here for your discussion.