Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Jurgen Klopp’s farewell in danger of implosion ahead of must-win clash – kick-off time, team news and how to follow

Liverpool must keep pace in the Premier League title race to avoid their season imploding as they host Crystal Palace this weekend.

The Reds had a chance to win a quadruple trophy in 2024, but three of their last five games have put their campaign on the brink.

Jurgen Klopp’s men suffered a dramatic collapse in their 4-3 outing against Manchester United last month, ending talk of an FA Cup success.

It was a similar story of missed opportunity in Liverpool’s return to Old Trafford three weeks later as they were held to a 2-2 draw in the Premier League.

This result saw Arsenal regain top spot in the table, with Liverpool responding with their worst game of the season.

The Carabao Cup winners suffered an unexpected 3-0 defeat at Anfield against Atalanta on Thursday, leaving their Europa League bid in tatters.

Now anything other than a return to winning ways against Palace could prove fatal to their Premier League title ambitions.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: give your best

Klopp’s men suffered only their second home whitewash in all competitions this season against Atalanta.

It is imperative for the Merseysiders to rediscover their shooting boots as they look to close the goal difference gap with Arsenal.

Unnecessary chances cost the club in the 2-2 draw against Man United last weekend, which saw Liverpool relinquish their grip on top spot.

The Reds remain level on 71 points at the summit with Arsenal but must make up a nine-goal gap.

Liverpool have taken 629 shots in the Premier League this season, at least 70 more than any other team.

Indeed, their average of 20.3 shots per game this season is the third highest ever recorded (since 1997/98) in a single Premier League campaign, after Chelsea in 2009/10 (21.9) and 2008/09 (21).

In particular, Darwin Nunez has taken more shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (100), scoring 11 times.

He is the first Liverpool player other than Mohamed Salah to have more than 100 in a single campaign since Philippe Coutinho (106 – 13 goals) and Roberto Firmino (100 – 11 goals) in 2016/17.

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• Liverpool are unbeaten in each of their last 28 Premier League home games, winning 22 and drawing six. However, they have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last eight matches at Anfield, the last being a longer run between December 1998 and May 1999 (9 matches).
• Liverpool have gained 27 points from dropping positions in the Premier League this season, including in their 2-1 win at Crystal Palace in the reverse fixture. There are only three cases where a team has won more in a single campaign: Newcastle in 2001-02 (34) and Manchester United in 2020-21 (31) and 2012-13 (29).
• Liverpool have conceded around seven fewer goals than expected in the Premier League this season (30 conceded, 36.5 xG against), with only Manchester United having a greater difference in the competition this season (46 conceded, 58.2 xG against).

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: team news

The hosts received a triple boost with the returns of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Stefan Bajcetic and Diogo Jota to the matchday squad on Thursday – with the latter also making his return to the field.

Liverpool still remain without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, with Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip both long-term absentees.

Palace have been boosted by their own injury comeback following the return of talisman Michael Olise against Man City.

Marc Guehi and Chris Richards are still doubtful, while Sam Johnstone, Cheick Doucoure, Rob Holding, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Matheus Franca are still in the treatment room.

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• Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored four goals in his last six league matches for Crystal Palace, with his seven goals in total this season being his best return in a single Premier League campaign. He opened the scoring for the Eagles in the reverse fixture against Liverpool, with Dwight Gayle being the last Palace player to score home and away against the Reds in a single season in 2013-14.
• Darwin Núñez has taken more shots than any other player in the Premier League this season (100). He is the first Liverpool player, other than Mohamed Salah, to have more than 100 in a single campaign since Philippe Coutinho (106) and Roberto Firmino (100) in 2016-17.
• Crystal Palace have conceded around 10 more goals than expected in the Premier League this season (54 goals conceded, 44.3 xG against), with only Sheffield United having a greater difference in the competition this season (82 conceded, 61.2 xG against). ).

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: what was said?

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk says it is important not to overreact after the heavy Europa League defeat.

“If you don’t believe in it, there’s no point in going to Italy,” Van Dijk said.

“We made it very difficult by going there 3-0. But the way to bounce back is to win the game this weekend.

“We need everyone to turn it back on. Then we can focus on at least four goals there.”

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• Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League matches against Crystal Palace (W11 D2) since a 2-1 home defeat in April 2017.
• Since winning three consecutive away league games against Liverpool between 2015 and 2017, Crystal Palace are now winless in their last six games at Anfield (D1 L5).
• After winning their first Premier League match under Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace are now winless in their last five games. They have lost their last two games, but have not lost more consecutively since a series of four in March of last year.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: how to follow

This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday April 14.

Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 1 p.m.

talkSPORT will keep you up to date with the latest news, while talkSPORT.com will also provide the best reaction.