PREM: Liverpool v Crystal Palace preview

Liverpool v Crystal Palace preview

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva and defender Ragnar Klavan both trained on Friday to give manager Jurgen Klopp some hope of not having to field another untried centre-back partnership at home to Crystal Palace.

The pair joined in their first session of the week following muscle and knee injuries but defender Joel Matip, also struggling with a muscle problem, has yet to participate - which led to 19-year-old centre-back Joe Gomez being put on notice of a first Premier League start since September 2015 having missed most of last season after a knee operation.

Adam Lallana (groin) is currently undergoing outdoor work with the Reds' rehabilitation coach and is expected to return to team training next week but there is no comeback date yet pencilled in for fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Crystal Palace are without Mamadou Sakho for Sunday's Premier League fixture at Liverpool because the terms of his loan deal mean he is ineligible to face his parent club.

In his absence, the fit-again James Tomkins is expected to return to Sam Allardyce's starting XI. Loic Remy and James McArthur have also returned to contention.

The manager remains without long-term absentees Scott Dann, Pape Souare, Fraizer Campbell and Connor Wickham.

Liverpool (from): Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Lucas, Can, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Firmino, Origi, Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Moreno, Grujic, Woodburn, Wilson, Ejaria, Sturridge.

Crystal Palace (from): Hennessey, Mandanda, Speroni, Ward, Kelly, Delaney, Tomkins, Fryers, McArthur, Milivojevic, Ledley, Cabaye, Puncheon, Townsend, Kaikai, Zaha, Sako, Schlupp, Van Aanholt, Lee, C Benteke.