Buoyed by win, Hodgson’s Palace pose tough challenge for Liverpool

Soccer Football – Premier League – Crystal Palace vs Liverpool – Selhurst Park, London, Britain – March 31, 2018 Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Trent Alexander-Arnold: REUTERS

KATHMANDU: Last season’s Champions League finalists Liverpool may need to press more than
usual as they travel to Selhurst Park at 12:45 pm NST today to face bouyant Crystal Palace who have not lost in their last 13 PL matches.

Roy Hudgson’s Palace with the likes of Tomkins and Sakho at defence and Zaha in the flank are formidable opponents for Liverpool who have tapped in last season’s scoring spree since the first match this season.

Interestingly, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who had also eyed the Ivory Coast international has called the recent £70 million deal between Zaha and Palace as a “spectacular transfer”.

Meanwhile, the odds favor The Reds as they have managed to secure wins in all previous four visits to Selhurst Park.

On the other hand, Roy Hodgson went on a spending spree over the summer and brought in midfielders Cheikhou Kouyate and Max Meyer and forward Jordan Ayew bolstering the Palace squad.

Likewise, former Liverpool striker Benteke who scored in palace’s opening match this season is expected to partner Zaha in the frontline. But, he has only scored thrice in his last 31 league appearances.

However, it does not mean that Benteke cannot put Liverpool’s defence into test.

Probable Liverpool XI: Alisson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Salah, Mane, Firmino

Probable Crystal Palace XI:Hennessey, Tomkins, Sakho, Wan-Bissaka, Van Aanholt, Milivojenic, McArthur, Schlupp, Townsend, Zaha, Benteke