Crystal Palace vs Liverpool l Live fans match thread!

With only a sixty hour turn around since our exhilarating victory over the wannabe league leaders, the true league leaders now make their way to Selhurst Park to face a former LFC manager and several former players. Crystal Palace are currently sitting mid table with not the best form but they have had some good results this season. Most notably a 1-1 draw with Tottenham and a 1-5 win over West Brom.

Besides seeing Mourinho crying after Bobby's glorious winner, the other good news from that game was there were no new injuries.

 

Not only were there no new injuries but Thiago was seen at training with the squad on Thursday.

Still waiting to hear any news on Matip who was a "late" decision not to be included mid week and  according to Klopp in his press conference for this match it's the same for Thiago, Milly and Shaq. A maybe, maybe not was as much commitment as we have to work with.

Is there even any need to rush Matip and others back? Rhys Williams has shown he is more than capable to cover the CB position and we showed against Spurs we are getting the job done without Shaq, Thiago and others.

The only reason to rush Matip back would be to give Fabinho a rest or move him back to his natural DM role and we don't really need to rush back midfield players although it would be nice to have some game changers on the bench at least.

In general, are the tables starting to turn? Literally they have as we've opened up a slender lead at the top and done so despite yet finding our best form. With players slowly filtering back from injury, teams better watch out as we begin to really hit our stride.

Due to the extremely short turn around, for this match it will be interesting to see who Klopp gives starts to. As above there's no massive need to rush players back but the likes of Ox have remained on the bench for the last two games and must surely be an option.

The only problem area I see with such a small gap from the Spurs game is our front three. Mane, Bobby and Salah have all been putting in serious pitch time and could do with a rest but with Jota out and Origi as useful as a woodpecker with a rubber beak we're a little short on covering fire power.

Although following a mentally and physically punishing game mid week, this one arrives hot on it's heels, afterwards there will be a seven day - nice early Christmas break/present for the squad before returning on the 27th of December.

With all these variations to consider I would like to see us line up with the following lads (not that I think Klopp will go for this).

Alisson, TAA, Robbo, Rhys, Matip, Gini, Jones, Ox, Bobby, Mane, Salah.

Kelleher, Neco, Naby, Thiago, Hendo, Taki, Origi.

I've left Fabinho out because I feel he deserves a well earned rest. Now if Matip isn't fit then Fab's goes straight back into CB. Hendo is dropped to the bench as he too could do with a rest and between him and Gini, Hendo tends to be the more injury prone so must be man managed.

I do think our front three need a rest but thought it would be harsh to bench Bobby after his heroics on Wednesday and we have no real cover for Mane and Mo. Fingers crossed for early goals leading to early subs so our attackers can get some rest that way. 

Lastly, congratulations to Jurgen Klopp in winning the Best FIFA Men's Coach, for the second successive year. Let's hope we also reward him with a victory against palace.

LiverBird's Scorecast: Woy's band of miserable men 0, Klopp's roost of resplendent Reds 4.

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Prediction League

Which team will have the most corners? (3 points)

Which team will score the second goal? (4 points)

Name our starting eleven (11 points)