MatchLiverpool v Crystal Palace: Team news
Diogo Jota made his first appearance for almost two months as a second-half substitute in the Reds’ Europa League defeat by Atalanta on Thursday, and is set to continue his reintegration for the visit of the Eagles.
“I think Diogo was absolutely fine [for] 20 minutes, it helped him a lot and now we will see what we can do from there,” said Jürgen Klopp after the midweek match.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was on the bench that night too, though was not used, with the vice-captain a little behind Jota in his own recovery from a knee injury.
“There was no chance to play Trent [against Atalanta],” said Klopp. “He was on the bench because we were allowed to put 23 players into the squad.
“He had two sessions. Diogo didn’t have more really but the information from the medical department is [he was a] step ahead, so he can play a little bit longer.”
Stefan Bajcetic was another unused substitute in Europe and the midfielder then got 30 minutes under his belt – and an assist – for Liverpool’s U21s as they beat Manchester United 3-0 on Friday.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Alisson Becker is back in training and nearing a return to action, with Klopp reporting earlier this week: “Alisson is on the way back as well. So, we have to see that.”
Thiago Alcantara, Ben Doak and Joel Matip are sidelined.
An appearance for Ibrahima Konate against Palace would bring up a half-century of league games at the club for the France international.
For the Eagles, Michael Olise is on the cusp of a return to their starting XI having featured as a substitute last weekend after a two-month injury lay-off.
“He’s closer [to starting] than the week before. He had the whole week training with us,” said Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
“We’ve had a very good week in training, high quality and a lot of intensity, which is very important because Liverpool are maybe that team in the world that plays with the highest pressure – you never have time.
“It’s been a really good week and Michael was part of it, so he’s close to starting.”
The visitors for the 2pm BST kick-off at Anfield will be without Cheick Doucoure, Matheus Franca de Oliveira, Marc Guehi, Rob Holding, Sam Johnstone and Chris Richards, while Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is a doubt.
Glasner is hopeful of being able to call upon the returning Jairo Riedewald, however, adding: “We have no new injuries, but Jairo is coming back. He trained the whole week with us and he could be in the squad on Sunday.
“You always have to be careful because if a player is out for five, six or seven weeks, it’s not like he can have one week’s training and play 90 minutes. He will have to find his rhythm, like all the other injured players.”
Last match
Liverpool 0-3 Atalanta (April 11): Kelleher, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas, Endo, Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott, Nunez, Gakpo.
Crystal Palace 2-4 Manchester City (April 6): Henderson, Ward, Andersen, Lerma, Munoz, Wharton, Mitchell, Hughes, Mateta, Ayew, Eze.
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