Liverpool will look to cement their place in European competition with a win at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, with their manager Brendan Rodgers looking to salvage all he can from what has been a pretty disastrous season. In the space of a year they’ve turned from title contenders to a team unable to break into the top four, though they can’t yet allow their attention to wander to next year.
Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Liverpool will look to take advantage of Crystal Palace’s poor form at Anfield on Saturday.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
As for Palace, they looked in some real relegation bother early in the season, though Alan Pardew has managed to turn their fortunes and secure their place in the Premier League for next season. Since they’ve reached the holy 40-point mark, however, they’ve tailed off, and have lost four games on the bounce. They could well find it difficult to end that run away at Anfield.
Key player - Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Steven Gerrard certainly won’t be the best player on the pitch, and nor is he likely to be the most influential, but all eyes will be on the Liverpool captain as he turns out at Anfield for the final time. He’s not been particularly good for at least a couple of years now, but it’s impossible to deny that turning out over 700 times for your boyhood club is a pretty special thing. There could well be tears.
Key matchup - Jason Puncheon vs. Lucas Leiva
Jason Puncheon was left on the bench in Crystal Palace's narrow defeat at home to Manchester United last weekend, but came on in the second half to completely change the game. He provided some much-needed creativity and composure on the ball for the Eagles, and no doubt earned himself a start in this match. It'll be up to Liverpool's anchorman Lucas Leiva to keep him quiet.
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Mamadou Sakho (hamstring), Daniel Sturridge (hip), Jon Flanagan (knee). In doubt: None.
Crystal Palace injuries and suspensions
Out: Jerome Thomas (ankle). In doubt: None.
Liverpool will be without defenders Mamadou Sakho and Jon Flanagan, while striker Daniel Sturridge is out for the rest of the season. Crystal Palace will still be without the long-term injured midfielder Jerome Thomas.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. local
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. - English), NBC Universo Now (U.S. - Spain), Sportsnet World Now (Canada) Sky Go (U.K.)
See More:
