Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Match Preview, Predictions, and Expected Lineups
On Wednesday evening, Liverpool faces Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Anfield, marking their third encounter this season. Crystal Palace has had the upper hand in previous meetings, securing victories in both the Community Shield and a Premier League clash in late September. Given their recent form and history against Liverpool, the Eagles enter the match with considerable confidence.
Liverpool’s Struggles and Recent Form
Liverpool is currently grappling with a significant performance slump. The team suffered a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat last weekend against Brentford, reflecting a troubling trend with five losses in their last six matches. Manager Arne Slot is under mounting pressure to reverse this decline, particularly following a hefty summer spending spree.
Carabao Cup History
Historically, Liverpool has found success in the Carabao Cup, reaching three of the last four finals and winning the tournament twice. However, they were runners-up last season, falling to Newcastle United in a close match. The Reds will be eager to bounce back and secure a cup victory to restore some much-needed momentum.
Crystal Palace’s Recent Performance
Crystal Palace, while having enjoyed a strong start to the season, also faces challenges of their own. Their unbeaten run ended during their last visit to Merseyside, which saw them fall to Everton. Furthermore, they experienced a surprising 1-0 defeat to AEK Larnaca in the Conference League.
Projected Lineups
Both teams are likely to make adjustments ahead of this match.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Freddie Woodman
- Defenders: Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and an additional defender
- Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister
- Attackers: Federico Chiesa, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Hugo Ekitiké
Liverpool is dealing with injuries to key players, including Alexander Isak and Alisson, with Curtis Jones also a doubt following a knock. Young players like Giovanni Leoni and Jayden Danns are out due to long-term injuries.
Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)
- Goalkeeper: Rafael Benítez
- Defenders: Marc Guéhi, along with two others
- Midfielders: Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, and others
- Forwards: Eddie Nketiah and Daichi Kamada
Palace’s squad appears healthier with fewer injury concerns, allowing manager Oliver Glasner to potentially unleash a strong lineup, including Eddie Nketiah, the player who scored a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool in September.
Match Outlook
Confidence is low at Liverpool, making this fixture especially daunting as they face a Crystal Palace side that has increasingly become a hurdle for them. With Liverpool’s shaky defensive record—failing to keep a clean sheet in nine matches—they face a stern test against a scoring Crystal Palace team.
However, Liverpool’s attacking capabilities could pose challenges for Palace, setting the stage for an exhilarating contest. The prediction for this match suggests a closely fought encounter, potentially ending in a draw with Liverpool securing victory through penalties.
Prediction: Liverpool 1–1 Crystal Palace (Liverpool wins on penalties)
