Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: How the Reds Should Line Up in EPL Game

Matt LadsonNov 21, 2014

Liverpool return to Selhurst Park this Sunday, the scene of one of their darkest moments last season—when they threw away a 3-0 lead to eventually draw 3-3 with Crystal Palace.

It was foolish of the then-swashbuckling Reds to attempt to claw back goal difference on Premier League leaders Manchester City, in this the penultimate goal of the season, but at least back then they had that confidence—even if it was misguided.

Just six months on from that night, and Luis Suarez's tears, Liverpool are a shadow of that attacking side, devoid of goals and creativity. Eight goals in their last eight Premier League games without Daniel Sturridge tells the story.

Brendan Rodgers is likely to continue with his recently preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, despite most supporters yearning for a return to two up front and a midfield diamond shape.

Here's how the Reds should line up for the game.

Defence

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Liverpool fans used to sing of Sami Hyypia that "in our defensive foursome, he's absolutely awesome"—nowadays they could rewrite it to read "our defensive foursome, it's far from looking awesome". Mind you, they could also write that "our attack was once magic, but now it's pretty tragic".

Anyway, we digress, Liverpool's defensive problems are well documented but little is likely to change for Sunday's match.

Simon Mignolet will start in goal and Dejan Lovren will continue as the left sided centre-back, despite being dropped by the Croatian national coach for their match against Italy during the international break.

Martin Skrtel will partner Lovren, despite Kolo Toure being arguably a better option than either of them, and Mamadou Sakho, despite being arguably a better option than all three—but whose "couple of weeks" thigh injury, as per assistant boss Colin Pascoe back in October—has now been out for almost two months.

Alberto Moreno will be left-back, meaning only the right-back spot has something of a question mark over it.

Unfortunately that's likely to be Glen Johnson, despite Javier Manquillo being a superior option.

Back Four: Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno

Midfield

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Moving into midfield and the only fitness doubt is over Jordan Henderson, who missed England's match against Scotland with a slight hamstring injury. Rodgers said at his pre-match press conference that he expected Henderson to be fit, as per This Is Anfield.

If Henderson is indeed fit, he'll likely partner Steven Gerrard as the two holding players in Rodgers' static 4-2-3-1 shape.

Lucas Leiva continues to be an option that Rodgers overlooks as the holding player, while Emre Can might be unlucky to miss out after impressing against Real Madrid and Chelsea prior to the break.

Ahead of them, Rodgers will likely opt for three attacking midfielders, Raheem Sterling being the only guaranteed starter—unfortunately pushed out wide on the right.

Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana are likely to fill the other two spots, but Rodgers could opt for Henderson or Joe Allen more advanced, meaning Coutinho drops out and Can comes in alongside Gerrard.

Midfield: Gerrard, Can, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling

Attack

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No Daniel Sturridge means Liverpool have three goalless forwards to choose from; Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini. Spoilt for choice.

Balotelli will have a late fitness test having suffered an injury while training with Italy, as explained by Rodgers at his pre-match press conference.

Of course, Rodgers could throw a (welcome) surprise and play with two forwards such as Lambert and Balotelli, but we're assuming here he'll continue with the one, often isolated, forward as he has in recent weeks.

Balotelli's injury means this would be an ideal opportunity to give Lambert a start—which would be only his second Premier League start for the club.

Forward: Lambert