Prediction: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 9/20

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Firmly in control of their destiny in the race for Champions League qualification, Liverpool welcome a resilient Crystal Palace side to Anfield on Saturday, with both clubs entering the contest in positive mood after last weekend’s results.

The reigning champions edged the Merseyside Derby in dramatic fashion, while Palace extended their steady unbeaten sequence with a goalless draw against West Ham United.

Liverpool

Different stadium, familiar story, and once again a centre‑back proved decisive in a Merseyside derby. Whereas James Tarkowski had snatched a late equaliser in the final derby at Goodison Park earlier this season, it was Virgil van Dijk who had the final say last weekend, heading home a record‑breaking winner in the 100th minute. That goal came after Mohamed Salah and Beto had earlier traded strikes in front of the away end and marked Liverpool’s sixth Premier League match winner against Everton after the 90th minute, more than against any other opponent.

The dramatic victory briefly lifted the weight from Arne Slot’s shoulders and underscored Liverpool’s resilience. Thanks in part to Chelsea’s collapse elsewhere, the Reds now appear only a couple of positive results away from securing Champions League football once again. Sitting fifth in the Premier League, Liverpool are five points clear of Brighton & Hove Albion and hold a crucial game in hand.

While the league title will slip away, there are encouraging signs at Anfield. Liverpool have lost just one of their last 10 home league matches and now return to familiar surroundings against a side with one eye on continental action.

Team News

However, the derby came at a cost. In attempting to block Beto’s equaliser, deputy goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili suffered a knee wound severe enough to require hospital treatment and is expected to miss two to four weeks.

With both Mamardashvili and first‑choice Alisson Becker sidelined, Freddie Woodman is set to make his first Premier League start for the club and only his second appearance overall, after previously featuring in October’s 3–0 EFL Cup loss against  – Palace.

Wataru Endo, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain long‑term absentees, while Joe Gomez is also battling a muscular issue that may rule him out.

With Ekitike unavailable, Alexander Isak will start up front, though Slot has admitted that the Swede is still being carefully managed following his recent leg fracture. As a result, either Salah or Cody Gakpo may shift centrally as the match develops.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace arrive with relatively little at stake in domestic terms, having already enjoyed recent success in other competitions. As holders of both the FA Cup and Community Shield, the Eagles’ Premier League position carries less urgency than their European campaign, particularly with a Conference League semi‑final first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk looming just days after this fixture.

That context explains the changes Oliver Glasner made for Monday’s London derby with West Ham, where Palace earned a solid 0–0 draw against a side battling relegation. Unbeaten in their last four league matches, Palace currently sit 13th in the table with a game in hand on the teams around them and appear increasingly comfortable juggling domestic and continental commitments.

The turnaround in form has been impressive. Following a bleak 12‑match winless run stretching from mid‑December into early February, Palace have since recorded seven wins from their last 14 matches in all competitions. Confidence has returned, and the Eagles have been difficult to overcome since that narrow March defeat to Manchester United.

Glasner’s record against Liverpool in 2025 will not be lost on either set of supporters. Palace claimed three victories and a draw against Saturday’s hosts across the Premier League, EFL Cup and Community Shield, giving them genuine belief ahead of this trip.

Team News

Fitness remains mixed. Maxence Lacroix recovered from his knock to feature against West Ham, but Adam Wharton missed that contest with an adductor injury, the same issue that forced his withdrawal from the England squad in March. His availability remains uncertain, while Cheick Doucouré, Evann Guessand and Eddie Nketiah are all definitely sidelined.

After resting several attackers on Monday, Glasner is expected to recall Jean‑Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr. The latter has become something of a Liverpool nemesis, scoring in each of his last four appearances against the Reds across all competitions.

Conclusion

If a last‑gasp derby winner cannot energise Liverpool, it is difficult to imagine what will. Despite their Champions League disappointments, Slot’s side have shown renewed grit in the league and look increasingly like their old selves at Anfield.

While Palace’s recent dominance over Liverpool cannot be dismissed lightly, momentum, venue and noise from the stands all favour the hosts this time. Liverpool should have enough resilience and quality to overcome a Palace side whose priorities may lie elsewhere, tightening their grip on a Champions League place with a hard‑fought victory.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 9/20

Bookmaker: ZetBet