Liverpool will be seeking no less than all three points from their final league fixture of the 2020-21 season on Sunday at Anfield in a game where they welcome Crystal Palace.
The Reds had moved back inside the top-four of the league standings for the first time since February thanks to a 3-0 away win at Burnley earlier this week but with no assurances of Champions League football for the forthcoming campaign, Jurgen Klopp’s side are gunning for a victory on their own patch this weekend.
With a much superior goal difference than fifth-placed Leicester City, Liverpool’s chances of a win over a Crystal Palace side are backed by many but with the Eagles taking the pitch on Sunday for the final time under Roy Hodgson, the south London outfit will be desperate to make an impact.
Unbeaten across their last nine outings out of which seven have come as victories for the Merseysiders, Sunday’s hosts will be delighted to secure Champions League football in a season that has provided misfortune at every possible step for the defending champions.
The Reds remain the favourites to clinch the win in the weekend showdown but few would rule out the former Liverpool boss Hodgson on springing up a surprise with his Palace side in what happens to be his final game on the touchline after 45 years in the game.
WHEN & WHERE?
3⃣7⃣ games complete
1⃣ to goWe end our season with a BIG game against @CPFC on Sunday 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/kghebP63nH
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 21, 2021
Date: Sunday 23 May
Time: 3 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Diogo Jota is certain to be an injury absentee for Liverpool with the Portugal international, despite being cleared by Jurgen Klopp to feature in this summer’s UEFA Euros, not expected to play any part in the final league fixture for the Anfield giants.
Ozan Kabak is another injury concern for the Reds after having suffered a muscle problem which has led to him missing the last three outings for Liverpool, forcing Klopp to draft the young Rhys Williams alongside Nat Phillips at centre-back.
It’s been a good day! So happy to be back with the lads 😊 pic.twitter.com/VQeKlPQckn
— Jordan Henderson (@JHenderson) May 21, 2021
Skipper Jordan Henderson was spotted on his return to team training ahead of Sunday’s contest at Anfield but doubts remain over the 30-year-old featuring over the weekend as the Euros approach nearer and Henderson’s fitness key to England’s campaign.
KEY BATTLE
Mohammad Salah vs Wilfried Zaha
Salah is the crucial component in Liverpool’s setup under Jurgen Klopp and all eyes will be on the Egyptian when he takes the field on Sunday.
The 28-year-old has been in splendid form all throughout this campaign and tied on 22 goals with Spurs talisman Harry Kane, Salah will be hoping to get his side all three points and find the back of the net to take home the Golden Boot.
For the visitors, it is Wilfried Zaha who can possess a great amount of threat in the final third of the pitch and with Liverpool counting on the relatively inexperienced names of Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips in defence, the Ivorian forward can cause great trouble to Jurgen Klopp and Co. going forward.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool’s run of form at Anfield since the turn of the year has been woeful to say the least with only two wins in as many as ten outings but on the back of three straight wins coming in Sunday’s contest, Klopp’s men are heavy favourites to clinch all three points and assure themselves of a place amongst Europe’s elite.
We predict a 4-0 win for Liverpool on Sunday against Crystal Palace.
