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Liverpool team news vs Crystal Palace: Predicted line up – Matip in, right-back decision
LIVERPOOL are faced with a defensive injury crisis when they return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday (3pm).
Liverpool: Joël Matip shows off skills in training
Liverpool will be looking to build on their victory over Brighton last time out when they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield this weekend.
The Reds’ remain four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and will hope to replicate their 2-0 win against Palace from back in August.
However, Jurgen Klopp will have to do without a number of defenders with Trent Alexander-Arnold the latest to be sidelined with a knee problem.
The full-back joins Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren on the sidelines, although Joel Matip returned to training this week following surgery on a fractured collarbone.
The Cameroon international is expected to line up alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back while James Milner is the leading candidate to fill-in for Alexander-Arnold.
Fabinho has been deployed at the back in recent weeks but is likely to move into midfield alongside Jordan Henderson, with Georginio Wijnaldum ruled out.
Naby Keita is also in contention to feature but has been inconsistent lately and should start on the bench if Klopp adopts his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.
Further forward, Xherdan Shaqiri will start on the right wing with Sadio Mane on the opposite flank and Roberto Firmino playing off frontman Mohamed Salah.
Adam Lallana is still out while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is yet to feature this season but is edging closer to a return after beginning some light fitness work at Melwood.
Rhian Brewster was also spotted doing some work on the treadmill this week as he steps up his recovery, although the youngster will not feature here.
Klopp’s squad is being stretched thin after the departures of Dominic Solanke and Nathaniel Clyne (loan) to Bournemouth, although Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge offer options off the bench.
Liverpool are entering a vital run of fixtures with maximum points required from clashes against Leicester, West Ham and Bournemouth before a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich and a trip to Manchester United.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Crystal Palace – Premier League
(4-2-3-1): Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane, Salah