Liverpool welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield on Saturday, desperate to strengthen their grip on Champions League qualification, but face opponents who have become their unexpected nemesis.
The Reds have won their last two Premier League matches, bouncing back from defeat to Brighton before the March international break. A third consecutive victory would open up an eight-point gap over sixth place with just four games remaining, though Arne Slot’s side harbour ambitions of catching Manchester United and Aston Villa above them.
Palace arrive with attention split between a Conference League semi-final first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday and maintaining momentum in the league.
Liverpool’s Palace Problem
The statistics make uncomfortable reading for Liverpool supporters. The Reds are winless in their last three Premier League home games against Palace (D2 L1), having won five consecutive Anfield meetings before this slump. Palace claimed a 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park in September and could complete their first league double over Liverpool since 2014-15.
The Eagles’ dominance extends beyond the league. Their 3-0 EFL Cup triumph at Anfield in October means they could become the first team since Arsenal in 2006-07 to beat Liverpool twice at home in the same season.
Ismaïla Sarr epitomises Palace’s threat. The winger has scored in each of his last four appearances against the Reds across all competitions (five goals), with only Aston Villa (eight) suffering more at his hands in English football than Liverpool (seven).
Reds Finding Momentum
Liverpool have won six of their last 10 Premier League matches (D1 L3), more than in their previous 18 combined (W5 D6 L7). They arrive buoyed by Virgil van Dijk’s dramatic late winner in the Merseyside derby, securing a 2-1 victory over Everton.
Mohamed Salah offers cause for optimism. The Egyptian has scored in each of his last three Premier League starts after netting just twice in his previous 14. At 33 years and 314 days, he could become the oldest player since Cristiano Ronaldo (37 years, 86 days in May 2022) to score in four consecutive starts.
Nine 90th-minute winning goals have occurred in Liverpool’s Premier League games this season (four winners, five defeats) – two more than any other team in a single season in history.
Palace’s Solid Form
The Eagles are unbeaten in four league matches, drawing 0-0 with West Ham after defeating Newcastle 2-1. They have lost just one of their last six games. Defensively impressive with 12 Premier League clean sheets this season, only in 1994-95 have they recorded more in a single campaign (15).
Palace have won one of their last 18 Premier League matches against top-half teams (D9 L8) – that solitary victory coming against Liverpool in September.
Team News
Liverpool
Slot faces a critical goalkeeping decision with either Alisson Becker or third-choice Freddie Woodman set to start. Injury has sidelined Alisson for six matches, while Giorgi Mamardashvili will miss several weeks after suffering a leg wound at Everton.
“Giorgi will definitely not be available for tomorrow and also not for the upcoming weeks. Ali is close to a return to play, so let’s see if tomorrow comes too early,” Slot confirmed on Friday.
Should Alisson fail to recover, Woodman will make his Premier League debut. Joe Gomez returns after missing the derby, while Wataru Endo continues rehabilitation but won’t feature until late in the season. Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain long-term absentees.
Crystal Palace
Adam Wharton returns after missing Monday’s draw with West Ham. “Adam is good. He is fit and trained yesterday without any issues, so he’ll be available for Liverpool,” Glasner said.
Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand remain sidelined. Nathaniel Clyne is doubtful after illness but is recovering. Glasner insisted European commitments won’t influence selection: “Saturday to Thursday feels like it’s a very long spell in between.”
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool: Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Lacroix; Munoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Johnson; Mateta
Form Guide
Liverpool (W-W-L-L-D)
Back-to-back wins over Fulham and Everton have reignited their top-five charge. Just one defeat in their last 10 Anfield fixtures demonstrates home strength.
Crystal Palace (D-W-D-W-L)
Lost just one of their last six league games, showcasing defensive solidity with recent results against Newcastle (2-1 win) and West Ham (0-0).
Head-to-Head
Palace won 3-0 at Anfield in the EFL Cup in October 2025 and 2-1 at Selhurst Park in September 2025. Their previous meeting at Anfield in May 2025 ended 1-1. This recent dominance marks a dramatic shift from Liverpool’s previous superiority.
Prediction
Palace’s recent Anfield record and Liverpool’s goalkeeper uncertainty create doubt. However, Liverpool’s home form and Champions League desperation should prove decisive despite Palace’s counter-attacking threat.
We say: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace
Kick-off: Saturday, 3:00 PM BST
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Referee: Andy Madley
VAR: Neil Davies
Last Meeting: Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace, October 29, 2025, Carabao Cup
How to watch: Not televised in UK (3pm blackout)
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