Liverpool Set to Battle Crystal Palace: Key Matchups, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

Liverpool and Crystal Palace meet for their third encounter this season as they battle in the Carabao Cup fourth round at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The Eagles have emerged victorious in both previous clashes this campaign, starting with their Community Shield success and continuing with a dramatic Premier League victory in late September. Palace have secured three wins and one draw in their last four encounters against Liverpool and will travel to Merseyside brimming with confidence, particularly given their hosts' disappointing recent form.

Liverpool descended into complete turmoil on Saturday night as they suffered a deserved defeat to Brentford. Their fourth consecutive Premier League loss and fifth defeat in their past six outings has set off warning signals, with Arne Slot facing mounting pressure to reverse both performances and outcomes quickly following the summer's massive transfer expenditure.

The Reds have flourished in the Carabao Cup recently, appearing in three of the previous four finals and claiming the trophy twice during that period. Nevertheless, they were runners-up last season after being defeated by Newcastle United and their new star striker Alexander Isak at Wembley.

Palace don't arrive at the match in exceptional form either, having experienced declining results since Everton ended their 19-game unbeaten streak on their previous Merseyside visit. They remain without victory in four games and even endured a surprising 1–0 loss to Cypriot underdogs AEK Larnaca in the Conference League last Thursday.

Liverpool will be craving relief during this difficult period, but Palace, motivated by last season's FA Cup success, will be keen to advance another step toward silverware on Wednesday.

Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the cup encounter.

What Time Does Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace Kick Off?

Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace on TV, Live Stream

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool were missing Alexander Isak, Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong for the weekend journey to the Gtech Community Stadium, and will be compelled to manage without the trio once more on Wednesday.

They might be accompanied in the medical room by Curtis Jones, who was substituted due to an injury at Brentford. Arne Slot was uncertain about the severity of his condition following the match, making him questionable to participate midweek.

Young players Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns are absent through extended injuries and will not get the chance to showcase themselves in the cup.

Despite Liverpool desperately requiring victory to halt their decline, Slot is expected to make extensive alterations to his squad, including a possible competitive Reds debut for goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Crystal Palace

Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Crystal Palace (4-2-3-1): Woodman; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Ekitiké.

Crystal Palace Team News

With European competition also demanding attention this season, Oliver Glasner may be inclined to make several adjustments from his usual starting eleven away at Liverpool.

The only players unavailable for the journey to Anfield are Caleb Kporha, Cheick Doucouré and Chadi Riad, with Glasner's roster relatively fit currently.

Eddie Nketiah, who netted the injury-time winner against Liverpool in September, could spearhead the attack instead of Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, and Jaydee Canvot may enter the team as well.

Liverpool transfer target Marc Guéhi will have another chance to impress his potential suitors.

Crystal Palace Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool

Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (3-4-2-1): Benítez; Canvot, Lacroix, Guéhi; Muñoz, Hughes, Lerma, Sosa; Sarr, Kamada; Nketiah.

Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace Score Prediction

Morale is at rock bottom for Liverpool since Slot assumed control and a visit from a threatening Palace side who are rapidly becoming their nemesis is exactly what the Reds don't need. They will hope that their greater squad depth will provide them with an edge, with both teams likely to rotate players.

Palace appear almost guaranteed to find the net at Anfield considering Liverpool's terrible defensive statistics. They haven't managed a clean sheet in nine fixtures and were dismantled by Brentford's direct style at the weekend.

However, Liverpool do possess plenty of attacking firepower and should create difficulties for Palace in front of the Anfield faithful. This encounter could extend to the final moments, with the Reds potentially gaining revenge for their Community Shield loss to the Eagles via penalties.

Prediction: Liverpool 1–1 Crystal Palace (Liverpool win on penalties)