Crystal Palace vs Liverpool LIVE: Mohamed Salah goal secures victory for Reds after early scare against Eagles

Follow the latest from the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park

The Premier League's top goalscorer Mohamed Salah starts for Liverpool (Getty)

Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park looking to put pressure on Manchester United in the race for second place as Jürgen Klopp’s side continue their pursuit of a top-four finish, but Crystal Palace know that a surprise victory will give them a huge boost in the battle for Premier League survival.

With Joe Gomez injured after picking up an ankle knock on international duty, Trent Alexander-Arnold starts at right-back and Nathaniel Clyne returns to the bench ahead of what could be his first appearance of the season, while the combination of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and top scorer Mohamed Salah will look to inflict maximum damage on Palace.

There’s a boost for the home side though with Wilfried Zaha passed fit to start as he joins Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend in attack for the Eagles, who can jump up to 13th with a victory.

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Preview...

Two teams occupied with business at different ends of the table. Liverpool have played a game more than their Top 4 rivals, and will look to push up to 2^nd with a win at Selhurst Park.

Palace have won six of their last 12 meetings against The Reds and will take some confidence in to Saturday, having ended a four match losing run against Huddersfield recently.

Liverpool come in to Saturday’s game having got back on track following their derby day loss with a 5-0 win against Watford. Dejan Lovren and Emre Can could both return from their injuries, with Joe Gomez looking like missing out having pulled out of England duty in the week.

Palace also have their injury worries, with Wilfred Zaha having been sent home from Ivory Coast duty with a knock.

Liverpool, despite Palace’s past successes, will be firm favourites with their forward line firing on all cylinders at the moment. Mohamed Salah sits four goals ahead of Harry Kane with 28 league goals this year, which he’ll be looking to add to here.

What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 12:30 on Saturday 31 March.

It’s a big game for...

Mohamed Salah – there’s absolutely no pressure on the Egyptian, he could sit on his hands now and still have had a sterling first year in the Premier League. However, he’s well within touching distance of the all-time record for goals in a season (34, jointly held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole).

Best stat...

1.28 – Liverpool’s average points per game tally after international matches, compared with their normal Premier League average of 1.87.

Remember when...

Palace managed a superb late rally to recover from being 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in this fixture back in 2014. The result put a big dent in Liverpool’s title hopes, and left Stephen Gerrard sat on his haunches wondering what might have been.

Player to watch...

Christian Benteke – up against his former club, the Belgian target man will have to do a job in holding the ball up for Palace. They are unlikely to have much of the possession (Liverpool had 72% of the possession last time the teams met), and Palace can’t afford for Benteke to go missing.

Past three meetings...

Liverpool 1 (Mane) Crystal Palace 0, Premier League, August 2017

Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 2 (Solanke, Oriji), Asia Trophy Semi-Final, July 2017

Liverpool 1 (Coutinho) Crystal Palace 2 (Benteke X2)

Form guide...

Liverpool: DWWWLW

Palace: DLLLLW

Odds...

Crystal Palace: 27/5

Liverpool: 1/2

Draw: 7/2

Key Points

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
• Mohamed Salah secures victory for Liverpool in closing stages
• Sadio Mane scored equaliser but should have been sent off
• Luka Milivojevic scores early penalty for Palace
• Match is the first of eight games this afternoon

[31 March 2018 14:22 · Liam Corless]

Full-time - Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

The referee brings an end to proceedings and Liverpool leave Selhurst Park with all three points after second-half goals from Sadio Mane and Mo Salah!