Liverpool plays host to Crystal Palace this Saturday, with both teams looking to gain momentum after 3-0 victories last time out.

The Eagles won their first game of the season in style last weekend, after demolishing Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

The Reds had a similar outcome after they went to Elland Road and came away with a comfortable 3-0 win over Leeds United.

Confidence will be high in both camps, especially for the home side after Liverpool's midweek success in the Champions League.

Palace have a huge task ahead if they're to stop this Liverpool side at Anfield, but over the years we have seen they have what it takes to win here.

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  • Team news

The Reds rested Sadio Mane, Thiago, and Virgil Van Dijk for Wednesday's Champions League victory over AC Milan, so expect all three to return to the starting XI.

Roberto Firmino remains a doubt for the home side after missing the last two games since he went away on international duty with Brazil.

The only long-term absentee for Liverpool is of course the teenage talent Harvey Elliott, who begins a long road to recovery after suffering a broken ankle at Leeds last weekend.

For Vieira's Eagles, they are almost at complete full strength.

Eberechi Eze and Nathan Ferguson continue their rehabilitation from long-term injuries, with both expected back after the new year.

Jeffrey Schlupp is the only other injury concern after he hobbled off whilst playing for Ghana in the international break, there has been no word on the significance of the injury, however.

Palace welcomed back skipper Luka Milivojevic against Tottenham last time out, and handed debuts to Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise, with all three expected to play some part at Anfield.

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  • Predicted lineups

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Mane, Jota, Salah.

Crystal Palace: Guaita, Ward, Geuhi, Andersen, Mitchell, McArthur, Kouyate, Gallagher, Ayew, Zaha, Edouard.

  • Ones to watch

For Liverpool, you cannot look past Sadio Mane.

The Senegalese star will be fresh after resting during the week and has scored in his last 8 matches against Crystal Palace.

Mane really has been the thorn in the side of Crystal Palace in recent years and the Eagles will be hoping to stop the remarkable goalscoring streak against them.

Virgil Van Dijk is likely to return to the starting XI too, adding a further layer of solidity to the Liverpool back four.

With last season's injuries at the back, you could see a team like Palace having good opportunities to score, but with Van Dijk back, the Eagles will have a real battle on their hands.

For Palace, hometown hero Wilfried Zaha remains their talisman in games like this.

Palace will have limited amounts of the ball and Zaha will be crucial in getting Palace into dangerous areas when they get the chance. 

Odsonne Edouard could make his first start for Palace after his dream debut against Spurs.

His two goals off the bench last weekend have surely put him at the forefront of Vieira's plans, with his pace and footwork adding a new dynamic to this Palace side.

  • Previous meetings

There was a period where Palace were a real bogey team for Liverpool, winning at Anfield three seasons in a row from 2015-2017.

Since then, Liverpool have put any issues behind them and have won the last 8 league meetings between the sides.

Liverpool put 7 past the Eagles at Selhurst Park last season, and Palace will be looking to avoid a scoreline anywhere near that.

For Vieira's side, it is a daunting task, but with all the expectation on Jurgen Klopp's Reds, Palace have nothing to lose.

Head-to-head last six games:

23-05-2021: Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace

19-12-2020: Crystal Palace 0-7 Liverpool

24-06-2020: Liverpool 4-0 Crystal Palace

23-11-2019: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

19-01-2019: Liverpool 4-3 Crystal Palace

20-08-2018: Crystal Palace 0-2 Liverpool

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  • Where to watch

The kick-off is scheduled for 3 pm on Saturday, September 18th, 2021.

Unfortunately, this fixture will not be televised in this country.

However, you can follow all the latest updates live during the game here on VAVEL!

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