Liverpool will be looking to go top when they visit Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Midweek, the Reds crushed Sheffield United 2-0 to spoil Chris Wilder’s return to Sheffield United, and the capital’s unhappiness increased when Palace fell to Bournemouth by the same score.
Preview (Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool)
Selhurst Park is currently lacking in Christmas spirit after a depressing home loss to Bournemouth. Following two headers from Marcos Senesi and Kieffer Moore just before the halftime whistle, which condemned Palace to their third loss in their previous four games amid a miserable winter, Hodgson launched an attack on “spoiled” Palace fans, many of whom made their way out of the stadium as soon as Moore’s header went in.
The Eagles, who often lie contentedly in mid-table mediocrity, are sleepwalking towards the danger zone in 14th place in the standings with only one point from their previous four Premier League games. Nevertheless, a seven-point margin still separates them from Luton Town. There is speculation about Hodgson’s future. As Palace looks to snap a five-game losing streak at Selhurst Park, where their past three meetings have resulted in losses, Hodgson can only concentrate on his training ground drills for the time being. However, the home supporters will probably travel to Selhurst on Saturday with hope rather than expectation. Hodgson may be nearing the end of his second Palace stint. Their five-goal demolition at the hands of Burnley would not happen again.
This weekend’s action begins with Liverpool and Palace. A victory for the Reds would vault them to the top for at least a few hours. Arsenal will have a chance to respond at 3 pm against Aston Villa. A shock defeat to Palace puts Jurgen Klopp’s team in danger of falling behind the Lions. Liverpool, who travel to Selhurst Park looking for a fourth straight victory in all competitions. They had a routine victory over Sheffield United. It was the ideal counterbalance to their chaotic 4-3 thumping of Fulham. The Reds also recorded their first Premier League away clean sheet of the year by holding out the Blades.
Team News
Tyrick Mitchell, a left-back, has taken up residence in the Crystal Palace medical bay. He played just 29 minutes against Bournemouth before leaving the game due to a muscle strain, which will probably prevent him from playing on Saturday. Before the Eagles’ loss to Bournemouth, they received the worst news possible regarding Cheick Doucoure. The Mali midfielder, has been linked to a move to Liverpool. He has officially ruptured his Achilles tendon and could miss the remainder of the season. Doucoure and Mitchell are being attended to in the treatment room by Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Rob Holding (ankle), Dean Henderson (thigh), and the lively Erberechi Eze (ankle); the latter’s position should be covered.
Regarding the current Liverpool crop, Argentinian striker Alexis Mac Allister suffered a knee injury early in the game. He endured through the first half of the match. After the victory on Wednesday, Klopp also broke the heartbreaking news that Alisson Becker (thigh), Diogo Jota (muscle), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (hip), and Andrew Robertson (shoulder) would not be making a quick return. Joel Matip had suffered an ACL tear and would cruelly miss the remainder of the season. Ryan Gravenberch was supposed to be a straight replacement in the engine room since Mac Allister was anticipated to watch this game from the sidelines as well.
Crystal Palace 0 – 2 Liverpool
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