Harry Redknapp, Paul Merson and Chris Sutton all agree on Liverpool vs Crystal Palace prediction

Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp -Credit:Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images


Liverpool will be aiming to bounce back with a win against Crystal Palace on Sunday, and need to if they wish to keep their Premier League title push alive.

The Reds have reached a critical point in the run-in where the buzz around Anfield suggests only a victory will do. This is because of last weekend's draw at Manchester United, from which Arsenal reclaimed the lead of the Premier League on goal difference, and Thursday's uncharacteristic home hammering at the hands of Atalanta.

It will be interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp handles this weekend's fixture given the three-goal deficit his team must now overturn in Italy, should they wish to advance in the Europa League, but first comes the visit of Palace.

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Oliver Glasner's team currently sit 14th, five points above Luton Town in 18th place, therefore the Eagles will arrive on Merseyside in the knowledge that they must fight or risk prolonging a relegation scrap.

So how do the pundits see this one going? The ECHO takes a look...

Harry Redknapp

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager told sports betting site BetVictor: "It was déjà vu for Liverpool at Old Trafford last weekend – Jurgen Klopp must have been livid. They had so many chances in the first half to kill that game off but were so wasteful. When a side as good as Man City are chasing you down, you can’t afford to drop points. I don’t know what happened against Atalanta, that was as bad as I’ve seen them under Klopp for years. They looked so poor at the back at times, Atlanta could have had more.

"It’s been a tough spell for Crystal Palace, they’ll be desperate for the season to end. They weren’t bad against City last week and one thing I would say, is that they looked a threat.

"Liverpool may miss a lot of chances, but they score plenty too. I don’t see them dropping points at Anfield."

Redknapp's prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace

Paul Merson

"Palace will cause Liverpool a handful of problems and Jean-Philippe Mateta is a handful up front, but I expect the Reds to win at Anfield and move to the summit, at least until Arsenal play.

"Much like Man City, Liverpool will be patient in games and grind it out to get a result. We've seen them fall behind several times this season, but they've just kept going and got results in their favour more often than not. Palace will make it hard because they have players that can do stuff on the ball, but I'm predicting a 3-1 Liverpool win.

"Caoimhin Kelleher has done amazingly well this season, but Alisson Becker's injury return is a huge boost for Jurgen Klopp ahead of his last few games as Liverpool boss. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also back and Conor Bradley might need to make way for him in the coming games, but one player who's return will be invaluable for the German manager is Diogo Jota.

"I think he's Liverpool's best finisher ahead of Mohamed Salah and if he had played, Klopp and Co would have been victorious against Manchester United."

Merson's prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace

Chris Sutton

"This is a must-win for Liverpool following their slip-up at Old Trafford. They have got some tricky games in their run-in but I don't see this being one of them, even though they play in the Europa League against Atalanta on Thursday.

"One issue for Jurgen Klopp's side is that Mohamed Salah has not been at his sharpest since he has come back from injury - he has been missing chances that you expect him to put away.

"Crystal Palace have now gone five games without a win since beating Burnley in Oliver Glasner's first match in charge. They need to pick up some points, and quickly, to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle but they are not getting anything at Anfield."

Sutton's prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace