Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news

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·25 maggio 2025

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news

Liverpool will lift the Premier League trophy this afternoon following their encounter with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.

This afternoon’s game will be a precursor for next season’s Community Shield final, which will be contested between these two sides in August.

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Joe Gomez is poised to feature for the first time since February after being an unused substitute in the 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Monday.

The Englishman may start at right-back in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Arne Slot reportedly undecided on whether to play the Real Madrid-bound defender. Alexander-Arnold’s relationship with the Liverpool fans is fractured. If the 26-year-old does make his farewell appearance, he is not expected to receive a positive reception.

Aside from Alexis Mac Allister, who is sidelined with a muscular issue, Slot is operating with a fully fit squad.

If results elsewhere go in their favour, Palace could finish inside the top half with a victory at Anfield.

However, the Eagles are set to be without several key figures. Club captain Marc Guehi is unavailable due to the eye injury he sustained in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City. Adam Wharton was also forced off at Wembley due to a concussion and hasn’t recovered in time to appear in the curtain closer.

Full-backs Nathanial Clyne and Ben Chilwell are struggling with illness, which may prevent the pair from commemorating their exit.

Clyne is expected to depart following the expiration of his contract, while Chilwell will return to parent club Chelsea.

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – Match preview and team news

Form

Liverpool: WWLDL

Since being confirmed as Premier League champions, Liverpool’s form has plummeted.

The Reds have only picked up a single point in their last three outings, with the lack of incentive affecting their performances.

On Monday, Arne Slot’s side let a lead slip twice to lose 3-2 to Brighton. Jack Hinshelwood’s 85th-minute winner inflicted their fourth league defeat of the campaign.

Prior to their disappointing evening on the South Coast, Liverpool were beaten by Chelsea before drawing with Arsenal.

Preparations are already fully underway for their title defence next season. Jeremie Frimpong’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen is imminent, while the Merseyside-based club have been heavily linked with a lucrative move for German midfielder Florian Wirtz.

Crystal Palace: WDWWW

Recently, Crystal Palace have been one of the best-performing teams in the country. The Eagles are unbeaten in seven matches, with their season-defining moment occurring last weekend.

Palace lifted the first piece of major silverware in their history by beating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

The euphoria from that unprecedented achievement carried over into Tuesday night as they swept aside Wolves in a 4-2 home win. The momentous victory at Wembley Stadium means Oliver Glasner and his players have qualified for the Europa League next season.

A maiden European campaign may be enough to convince the highly sought-after Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi to stay in South London.

Last Meeting: Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool, Premier League, 5th October 2025

Diogo Jota’s early strike was enough to dispatch Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park back in October.

The Reds travelled to the capital as league leaders following a strong start to the campaign.

Arne Slot’s side instantly displayed their prowess as they dissected Palace’s backline with an incisive team move. Cody Gakpo picked out Jota in the middle, who marked a century of league starts for Liverpool by poking the ball between Dean Henderson’s legs.

Liverpool weren’t satisfied and bombarded Henderson’s goal in search of a second. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s half-volley was pushed behind by the goalkeeper before the goal scorer uncharacteristically fluffed his lines. Similarly to Gakpo, the enterprising Ryan Gravenberch found the Portuguese striker, but on this occasion, he mistimed his shot under little pressure. Alisson then needed to stay alert to prevent Ismalia Sarr from restoring parity just before the break.

During the interval, Palace couldn’t conjure up a plan to contain Jota, but they were spared by the 28-year-old’s lack of prolificacy. Despite being unmarked once again, his miscued header spun wide of the target.

The hosts grew into the contest but ultimately couldn’t breach Alisson’s net. The Brazilian stopper was relatively untroubled by Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze’s shots and parried both away with ease.

However, disaster struck in the 79th minute as Liverpool’s number one was forced off through injury. Reserve goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros came on to replace him and made his debut in the process. The youngster deputised astutely to preserve the clean sheet, as he gathered another effort from Eze.

A hard-fought triumph for Liverpool gave them a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Mitchell; Hughes, Kamada; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Who is the referee?

Darren England will be the match official. Scott Ledger and Derek Eaton will assist him while Sam Barrott will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Paul Howard and he will be assisted by Nick Greenhalgh.