Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Liverpool team news: Predicted Liverpool line up vs Crystal Palace – Henderson returns
LIVERPOOL could welcome Jordan Henderson back to their starting line up when they take on Crystal Palace on Monday night (8pm).
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is in line for a return to the starting XI when the Reds travel to Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
The England international missed much of pre-season due to his post-World Cup holiday and only featured as a substitute during Liverpool’s 4-0 win over West Ham last weekend.
The summer arrivals of Naby Keita and Fabinho have increased competition for places in midfield at Anfield, but Henderson is expected to be given the nod at Selhurst Park after regaining full fitness.
The 28-year-old is likely to line up alongside James Milner and Keita after both put in impressive displays against the Hammers, meaning Georginio Wijnaldum will be the unlucky player dropping to the bench.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are in line to start after all three were substituted by manager Jurgen Klopp last week in order to avoid the risk of injuries.
Joe Gomez is set to partner Virgil van Dijk once again with Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip both doubtful and Ragnar Klavan departing to Cagliari in a £2million deal.
Elsewhere, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be preferred to Nathaniel Clyne at right-back while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a long-term absentee and could miss the entire season with a knee injury.
Finally, Daniel Sturridge scored with his first touch against West Ham but will have to be content with a place the bench alongside Xherdan Shaqiri and Adam Lallana.
GK – Alisson
The Brazilian stopper made his competitive debut for Liverpool last weekend against West Ham but had very little to do in the 4-0 victory.
Crystal Palace are likely to offer a much sterner test at Selhurst Park, giving the £64m signing a chance to prove his worth.
RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold cut his post-World Cup holiday short in order to link up with the Reds at their pre-season training camp in France.
That commitment was rewarded with a full 90 minutes against the Hammers, and the 19-year-old is expected to be preferred to Clyne yet again.
CB – Joe Gomez
Injuries to Lovren and Matip have given Gomez an unexpected opportunity at centre-back and he didn’t look out of place last time out alongside Van Dijk.
CB – Virgil van Dijk
The most expensive defender in the world is a certainty to start against the Eagles, having looked in majestic form last weekend.
Liverpool fans will have their fingers crossed the Dutchman can stay injury-free this season.
LB – Andrew Robertson
Robertson is Jurgen Klopp’s undisputed first-choice at left-back this season ahead of Alberto Moreno.
The Scottish international provides much-needed width for the Reds and will look to attack young full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
CM – James Milner
The veteran midfielder put in a wonderfully energetic performance against West Ham and shows no signs of slowing down despite his advancing years.
The 32-year-old faces tough competition for match time this season but has pledged to make it as difficult as possible for his manager to drop him.
CM – Jordan Henderson
Wijnaldum looked slightly off the pace at times last week and could find himself dropping to the bench in favour of Henderson.
The Liverpool skipper missed much of pre-season due to his post-World Cup holiday but looked hungry to get stuck in during his brief cameo against the Hammers.
CM – Naby Keita
A real class act on his debut last time out, and Keita has surely done enough to keep his place in a competitive midfield.
The former RB Leipzig ace dictated the tempo of the match and looks set to be a key component in Klopp’s side this season.
RAM – Mohamed Salah
Overshadowed by Mane at Anfield but still on the scoresheet as Liverpool got their season off to a winning start.
Salah briefly shifted to a central position before Klopp substituted his star man last week, but the Egyptian should line up on the right flank against Palace.
LAM – Sadio Mane
Two goals were a tidy return for a dynamic performance and Mane will hope to replicate his impressive display against Roy Hodgson’s side.
ST – Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian looked slightly jaded in the Reds’ opening match of the season and was substituted just past the hour.
However, another week of training should see Firmino back up to speed and ready to harass the Palace rearguard.