- Anfield
- 17.30
- Saturday, 16th of May 2015
- TV: Sky Sports 1
The Teams
Liverpool (Possible 4-3-3) Simon Mignolet, Emre Can, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Glen Johnson; Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Ricky Lambert, Adam Lallana.
Out: Jon Flanagan (knee), Daniel Sturridge (hip).
Crystal Palace (Possible 4-2-3-1) Julian Speroni, Martin Kelly, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney, Pape Soure; Mile Jedinak, Joe Ledley, Yannick Bolasie, James McArthur, Wilfred Zaha; Glenn Murray.
Out: Jerome Thomas (ankle).
Team news
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Liverpool
Liverpool may have their French central-defender Mamadou Sakho back has been out of action for several weeks with a hamstring strain. Other than that the long-term absentees of Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan remain for months ahead.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace go into Saturday’s tie without the services of just attacker Jerome Thomas with an ankle injury, while the rest of their squad are all available for selection.
Insight
There’s no getting around it, this weekend’s big match is big for a unique set of circumstances, other than what any potential result will mean in the long-run. Saturday will be Steven Gerrard’s last game at Anfield, following a 17 year career at his boyhood club, where he’s captained the Reds for 12 years and lifted all but one trophy along the way of that journey.
A special mosaic on the kop will be seen before kick-off in honour of their iconic captain, who’s been in fine form of late. A late headed winning goal against QPR was followed by another header against Chelsea on Sunday – this time earning the Reds a point. Liverpool fans will all be crossing their fingers they get to see another goal from the Reds’ skipper on the day, to finish off his career at Anfield in style.
Saturday can be seen as a celebratory occasion for Alan Pardew too, having steered his former club (as a player) from relegation, while adding flair and purpose to the Eagles attacking game. Glenn Murray has undergone a transformation in recent months, scoring many vital goals along the way to safety and is certainly a player to take note of in the game.
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Key Battles:
Away from the Gerrard circus one key battle in pure football terms will be in central midfield where the tenacious Aussie Mile Jedinak will need to try and keep Philippe Coutinho under a lock and key. Emerging as Liverpool’s player of the season in recent months Coutinho has refined many areas of his game such as shooting, while in general becoming more a demanding figure for Liverpool.
Jedinak on the other hand, who signed for the Eagles in 2011, has cemented himself as Palace’s leader, and subtly one of the more impressive defensive midfielders in the Premier League this season. Jedinak averages 3.3 tackles and 3.5 interceptions per game. He has some ability going forward too; scoring five and assisting three times in the Premier League this season too.
Jedinak will need his defensive hat firmly on for Saturday though, looking to keep a reigns on Liverpool’s diminutive number 10, who’s scored five goals and made five assists in the Premier League this season, while averages a 1.6 key passes and 3.1 successful dribbles per game too.
Interesting Stat: Steven Gerrard has scored 119 Premier League goals for Liverpool.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace