Liverpool have seemingly hit form just at the right time and with no defeat coming in their last seven Premier League games, will this form see Jurgen Klopp’s men reach the promised land of Champions League football for next season?
Our landlord is certain that the Reds will qualify for the Champions League but with Sadio Mane out for the season and Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino barring the responsibility of Liverpool’s goal scoring, a win against relegation battlers, Crystal Palace is a vital game in the run in for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Palace themselves have beaten the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks and there is no doubt that Big Sam Allardyce fancies his sides chances against the big boys in the league.
Another side note to the game is that this will be Christian Benteke’s first visit back to Anfield since his summer move to Palace, and the big Belgian will look to prove that Klopp was wrong to sell him without really giving him a chance.
Though Benteke might worry many a fan in the Transfer Tavern, our resident Reds fans have taken heart from the job done on Benteke’s international teammate, Romelu Lukaku, in the Merseyside Derby a couple of weeks ago.
Their reasoning is that if they can keep out the league’s top goalscorer, Benteke should be no issue.
With the excitement building in the Tavern about the game, our landlord has outlined the XI that Klopp must play in order to maintain his side’s recent good form…..
GK: Simon Mignolet
The Belgian keeper still has not won over the full faith from manager, Jurgen Klopp but our landlord expects him to start here.
With only two clean sheets in fourteen league games since the turn of the year, our resident Liverpool fans in the Tavern expect a new keeper to come to their club in the summer.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
The ever dependable Clyne will take his place at right back for this one.
The Englishman started his career at Crystal Palace before moving to Southampton in 2012.
CB: Joel Matip
The Cameroonian has been constantly improving in Liverpool’s backline following a shaky start to his career at Anfield.
Although his side’s defensive record isn’t great, the Reds in the Tavern are happy with the improvements made by Matip this season.
CB: Dejan Lovren
The key enforcer of the Liverpool defence against Everton’s Romelu Lukaku a few weeks back, our landlord expects a similar performance from Lovren here.
The Croatian will be up against Christian Benteke and if he gets the better of the Palace hitman, there is a strong chance of victory for the Reds.
LB: James Milner
A very consistent performer, Milner has certainly won the hearts of the Reds in the Transfer Tavern.
A player who really can play anywhere, our landlord has been impressed with the quality of the Englishman’s work at left back this season.
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum
Praised for doing the ‘dirty work’ for his side, our landlord has been mighty impressed at the adaptability of Wijnaldum enabling to play many different roles for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season.
The Dutchman’s tireless work rate has been vital to this strong of form for the Reds, and he will look to put a similar performance come Sunday.
CM: Emre Can
Simply put, Can is in sensational form at the minute and has really taken the last couple games by the scruff of the neck.
Our landlord was especially impressed by Can’s performance against West Brom last weekend and the German is really showing his quality at the minute.
CM: Lucas Leiva
The Brazilian has been used somewhat as a bit-part player this campaign, but our landlord feels his experience in the middle of the park will prove vital for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Leiva’s industrious and tenacious style of play makes him an excellent cog in the heart of the Reds’ midfield.
RW: Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian has been shifted out wide following the injury sustained by Sadio Mane but our landlord believes Firmino can still have a strong impact from this position.
Following his match winning goal against West Brom, Reds fans in the Tavern are hoping he can have a similar impact in this game.
ST: Divock Origi
A real physical presence, Origi will look to put himself about against a Palace backline which has had it’s fair share of injuries this season.
With Mamadou Sakho unable to play due to the agreement of his loan, Origi’s task will be made easier due to the importance of Sakho to the Palace back line.
LW: Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool’s maestro, Coutinho will look to cause Palace endless problems when Sunday comes around.
The Reds fans in the Tavern have really enjoyed watching the Brazilian play this season and hope the club can fend off advances from Barcelona in the Summer.
