Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's FA Cup fifth-round clash between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Both sides will be hopeful of going all the way to Wembley having seen a number of favourites drop out of the competition in the last round, so we should be in for an intriguing contest this evening. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

Life is looking a little brighter for Palace at the moment having replaced Neil Warnock with former player Alan Pardew. Many eyebrows were raised when Pardew left a Newcastle United side in the top half of the table to take over at Palace, who were battling against relegation at the time, but he is certainly more appreciated at Selhurst Park and it seems to be a good match between club and manager.

It has certainly gone well for the Eagles so far, with Pardew losing just one of his six games in charge of the club and guiding Palace up to 13th in the Premier League table. They are not out of trouble in terms of the relegation battle just yet, with five points separating them from the bottom three, but on current form they seem to be heading in the right direction to avoid being dragged into a real scrap towards the latter stages of the campaign.

In fact, Palace showed signs of improvement even before Pardew arrived at the club, with caretaker boss Keith Millen also enjoying a spell of decent results during his short stint in charge. That means that Palace have now only lost one of their last nine matches in all competitions, including two impressive FA Cup victories to reach this stage.

The first of those FA Cup wins was, incidentally, Pardew's first match in charge as they thrashed Dover 4-0 in the third round. Premier League high-flyers Southampton posed a sterner test in round four, but Palace edged an entertaining game 3-2, with all of the goals coming in the first half and both Marouane Chamakh and Yaya Sanogo getting on the scoresheet.

Selhurst Park has been a bit of a bogey ground for Liverpool in recent years, but Palace aren't enjoying their best spell here either. They have only won one of their last six home games since beating Liverpool 3-1 back in November, while stretching even further back they have only won three of their last 15 outings in front of their own fans. They have won one, drawn one and lost one under Pardew, with that solitary defeat coming at the hands of Liverpool's fellow Merseysiders Everton.

The draw came in their most recent outing on Wednesday as Pardew's former club Newcastle came to town. The Magpies took the lead at Selhurst Park, but Fraizer Campbell's equaliser with just under 20 minutes remaining ensured that the spoils were shared. That would have been an important match for Pardew and, while his side were unable to win the game, simply not losing it may be enough to give them a boost of confidence.

Palace's record at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup is an impressive one in recent years, with the Eagles not having lost a home game in this competition since 2007. Preston were the last FA Cup opponents to beat them here and have, incidentally been responsible for their last two home FA Cup defeats. Palace have drawn their last two home FA Cup games, though, being taken to replays by both Aston Villa and Stoke.

As for Liverpool, they have also enjoyed improvement of their own in recent weeks as they look to salvage something for a dreadful start to the campaign. Daniel Sturridge's return has given the club a further boost in addition to their upturn in form, and suddenly a trophy and a place in the top four both look like realistic goals once again.

A rather unfortunate exit for the League Cup at the semi-final stage means that the FA Cup is now the Reds' most realistic chance of picking up silverware this season, a goal made even more desirable by Steven Gerrard's impending exit. The skipper is sidelined today but will be desperate to lead the side out for the final time at Wembley on his 35th birthday. The fairytale ending is written, Liverpool now just need to achieve it.

Of course, Liverpool are also still in the Europa League, which starts up again next week and contributes further to a busy period for Liverpool. They have a number of key matches coming up, with Premier League games against Southampton and Manchester City following on from their recent meetings with West Ham United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

It was Spurs that provided the most recent opposition for Liverpool, and they should be full of confidence following their 3-2 victory on Tuesday. It was a superb match, with both sides playing open and attacking football, but Liverpool deservedly came out on top courtesy of a first league goal for Liverpool from Mario Balotelli - perhaps the biggest positive for Brendan Rodgers to take from an all-round encouraging performance.

Despite their recent good form, Liverpool did need a replay to reach this stage of the competition. They left it late to beat Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium too, with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho both scoring in the final five minutes to secure a come-from-behind victory against the 10-man Trotters. That followed a goalless draw in the first meeting at Anfield, while Liverpool also failed to have things all their own way in the third round as the scraped past AFC Wimbledon 2-1.

Both of their FA Cup victories have come on the road this season, and they have been impressive away from home over the last couple of months. They began the campaign with only three victories in their first 11 outings away from Anfield, but they have now won six of their last eight, with their only defeat in that time coming in extra time against Chelsea.

Despite Tottenham scoring two past Liverpool last time out, the Reds have been increasingly impressive at the back recently - an area that was always their major weakness as they came so close to winning the title last season. However, it is a different story in the FA Cup, where Liverpool have kept just three clean sheets in their last 19 games, one of which came in the goalless draw with Bolton in the last round.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides and the headline news is that Sturridge once again leads the line for Liverpool. The Reds have made two changes to their side, with Allen and Lallana replacing Gerrard and Ibe, while Palace hand a debut to Souare at left-back. Yannick Bolasie, Dann and Gayle are also amongst those to start, while Campbell has earned himself a spot courtesy of his equaliser against Newcastle. Full teams for both sides coming up...

CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Speroni; Kelly, Dann, Hangeland, Souare; Bolasie, Ledley, Ward; Gayle, Chamakh, Campbell

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Mariappa, Delaney, Guedioura, Puncheon, Zaha, Murray

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Skrtel, Can, Sakho; Allen, Henderson, Moreno, Markovic; Coutinho, Lallana, Sturridge

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Ward, Johnson, Lovren, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Balotelli

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, one notable inclusion for Palace is Julian Speroni, who has generally been rested for cup games this season. Hennessey drops to the bench from the side that beat Southampton in the fourth round as a result, and he is joined on the sidelines by Delaney, who is replaced by Dann in the side today. Souare makes his debut for the club following his arrival in the winter transfer window, which should see Kelly switch back to the right flank.

Further forward, the exciting Yannick Bolasie is included and will be looking to establish his place back in the starting lineup following his recent participation at the Africa Cup of Nations. It is an attacking lineup on the whole from Pardew, with Gayle, Chamakh and Campbell all starting as well. With Liverpool only having three defenders, there may well be times today when Palace outnumber the Reds up top.

Liverpool have fared well with their new formation of three at the back, however, with Can, Sakho and Skrtel the preferred trio for Rodgers. They start once again this afternoon, as does Mignolet, who has grown in confidence since making his return to the side. He could have perhaps done better with both Tottenham goals during the week, but the Belgian keeper is still in fine form.

One notable absentee for Liverpool is Steven Gerrard, who is expected to miss a few weeks with a muscle strain picked up in the win over Tottenham. Lucas is also out injured so Allen comes into this side this afternoon and he is likely to fill that void while the Liverpool skipper is sidelined. Henderson will join him in midfielder, while Markovic once again plays in the right wing-back role.

There is once again no Sterling as he continues to struggle with an injury, but Sturridge is deemed fit enough to start for a second time in the space of less than a week despite only recently returning from a five-month injury lay-off. Jordon Ibe is cup-tied and replaced by Adam Lallana in the side, while Wednesday's match-winner Mario Balotelli only makes the bench.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff here, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is a tough one to call, with Liverpool having struggled at Selhurst Park in recent times. Both sides are on an upwards trajectory and will be keen to continue that today, which could result in a draw and another FA Cup replay for Liverpool. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see it taken to a second tie at Anfield, but I'm going to plump for a slender 2-1 away victory.

Liverpool will not have fond memories of Selhurst Park having lost here 3-1 earlier in the campaign. Rickie Lambert gave the Reds an early lead in that game, but goals from Gayle, Ledley and Jedinak sealed the win for the Eagles. This was also the stage for Liverpool's incredible collapse last season as they threw away a three-goal lead to all but end their title challenge, reducing Luis Suarez to tears at full time.

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Indeed, Liverpool have failed to win on any of their last six visits to Selhurst Park, making the Eagles something of a bogey team for the Reds in recent times. These two have met four times in the FA Cup before, with three of those ties being taken to replays following a 0-0 draw in the original fixture. There was no shortage of goals in the most memorable FA Cup tie between them, however, as current Eagles boss Alan Pardew scored an extra-time winner to hand Palace a 4-3 victory in the 1990 semi-finals.

Interestingly, Liverpool have reached the fifth round in successive season for the first time since 1995-96 this year and will be hoping to go all the way having seen the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all eliminated in the fourth round. Their FA Cup pedigree far outshines that of Palace, whose semi-final victory over Liverpool in 1990 gave them their one and only final appearance in this competition.

More potential winners have already been sent packing today, with West Ham, Stoke City and Derby County all being knocked out of the competition this afternoon. West Brom, Blackburn and Reading have progressed through to the next round and could be joined by one of these teams in the next 90 minutes.

KICKOFF: Palace get us underway at Selhurst Park as they look to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 20 years.

CHANCE! An early hint of a chance for Liverpool as Markovic finds himself in a bit of space down the right before putting his cross into the middle. Sturridge is arriving and looks to open up his body to steer a volley in, but the ball comes off his heel and doesn't threaten the goal.

As ever, there is a great atmosphere inside Selhurst Park for this match, but it is Liverpool who have enjoyed the better of the early exchanges here. The visitors have dominated possession so far, with Palace getting plenty of men behind the ball.

Liverpool almost get through into a good position as Markovic and Sturridge link up on the edge of the box. Souare just about does enough to avert the danger, however, while avoiding a half-hearted shout for a handball in the process.

Palace have their first chance to break, with Gayle being played through in plenty of space down the left channel. He pots against cutting inside and instead chooses to play a low ball into the box, but Skrtel is well placed to knock the ball behind for a corner.

Palace call for a penalty as Bolasie goes down under the challenge of Moreno as the ball arrives in the box from the left flank, but the referee awards a free kick to Liverpool instead. Pardew isn't happy, but that looked to be the right decision from the ref.

Still no clear-cut chances for either side in this match, but Palace have improved in the last few minutes. They are seeing more of the ball now and have made a few bright breaks forward down the left.

First blood goes to Palace in this FA Cup clash! It is a mistake from Skrtel that gifts the hosts a chance as he can't get enough on his header under pressure from Gayle. The striker latches on to it and sees a header of his own brilliantly saved by Mignolet but, with the keeper on the floor, Campbell keeps his composure to tuck away the rebound.

That is a big blow for Liverpool, who had enjoyed 69% of the ball in the opening 15 minutes. Can they find a response here? They needed to come from behind against Bolton in the last round and once again find themselves in that position now.

Half a chance for Skrtel as a free kick is floated into the box for the defender to attack. He wins his header comfortably but misjudges his jump a little and subsequently can't get his desired connection on the ball, nodding it harmlessly wide.

CHANCE! Some sustained pressure from Liverpool results in their best chance of the match, but Speroni makes a fine stop to deny Lallana. It was lovely build-up play from the visitors, with Allen threading a pass through for Henderson, who in turn teed up Lallana inside the box. However, the midfielder is denied by Speroni having hit a first-time effort towards the bottom corner.

SAVE! Liverpool are really starting to pile the pressure on now! They come forward again and Coutinho sees a good low effort very well blocked just in front of Speroni. The ball bounces back out to the Brazilian, but his second shot is straight at the keeper.

Gayle almost escapes the attentions of two Liverpool defenders inside the box, but Skrtel recovers well to make an important challenge just as it looked like the striker might be in. Very bright play from Gayle there.

Palace have tested Mignolet a few times with high balls into the box and players bearing down on the keeper so far, but each time the Belgian has dealt with them well. He is opting to punch the ball rather than catch it, but he is getting enough on his clearances to get rid of the danger.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon goes to Henderson, but Robert Madley has been fooled there. Gayle took a dive as the Liverpool skipper tried to pull out of his challenge.

SAVE! Again Speroni is called into action as the ball is played square to Henderson around 25 yards from goal, with space opening up for the stand-in skipper to have a go. He catches his shot really well, but it is a nice height for Speroni and he parries it to safety.

PENALTY SHOUT! Big penalty shout for Liverpool as the ball breaks to Sturridge inside the box. The striker goes down under the challenge of Souare and it looks like a clear spot kick, but the referee waves the claims away! Souare got away with one there.

SHOT! Still Liverpool continue to apply the pressure, with Allen the latest to go for goal. A cross into the box was only cleared as far the midfielder on the edge of the area, but his volley flew a yard or so past the post.

Bullish run from Can as he strides forward from the back as he loves to do. He manages to keep hold of it and squeezes a pass to Markovic, but the winger's effort is blocked by Souare.

YELLOW CARD! Chamakh joins Henderson in the book for a mistimed sliding challenge on Allen. No complaints there.

Palace are keeping things very tight in and around their own box. They are playing more like the away team at the moment, happy to let Liverpool enjoy most of the ball before thwarting the visitors when they get within touching distance of the area.

SAVE! Liverpool could be well served trying more long shots considering the congested nature of Palace's defence here, and that is exactly what Coutinho does here. He hits a decent shot towards goal, but Speroni holds on to a fairly routine stop well.

SHOT! Liverpool look to use a bit of width now as Markovic picks the ball up on the right before playing a one-two with Lallana. He cuts inside and runs right across the width of the box before placing a left-footed effort over the top.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Palace to double their lead! Skrtel fails to cut out the ball from Bolasie and Gayle suddenly finds himself through on goal with only Mignolet to beat. However, the keeper makes a crucial stop to deny the striker when it looked certain that he would score.

Liverpool will be fairly pleased with their performance in this first half, but the only thing missing has been a goal. They have had the better of things yet find themselves a goal behind, and that could well have been more but for Mignolet's save moments ago.

There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

The first half comes to a close at Selhurst Park, and it is Crystal Palace who go into the break with the lead despite having been second best for long periods of the opening 45 minutes. Both sides will be pleased with their performance so far, but as things stand it is Palace who are set to continue the theme of upsets today.

The goal came courtesy of Fraizer Campbell, but it was Gayle who proved the biggest menace in the build-up. His presence meant that Skrtel couldn't get enough on the ball as he looked to header it away and Mignolet was forced to come out and thwart Gayle as he looked to nod it home. However, the ball dropped for Campbell, who kept his composure to convert the rebound.

It was Palace who created the next best chance of the match as well too, with Gayle picking up the ball after Skrtel had failed to completely deal with Bolasie's ball into the box. The striker was through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but Mignolet spread himself well and made a crucial stop.

Liverpool have seen plenty of the ball, however, and have threatened on a number of occasions themselves. Their best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Lallana following a lovely string of passes that saw Allen thread the ball through for Henderson, who in turn played it inside for Lallana. Speroni was equal to the subsequent effort, however, denying the midfielder with a fine stop.

The Reds also had a very good shout for a penalty turned down when debutant Souare escaped punishment for what looked to be a certain foul on Sturridge inside the box. The left-back just about got a foot on the ball with his initial challenge but hooked Sturridge's leg after that, bringing the striker down. However, the referee waved the claims away.

KICKOFF: Liverpool get the second half underway and there have been changes for both sides at the break. Jason Puncheon replaces Chamakh for the hosts while Mario Balotelli comes on in place of Markovic for Liverpool.

SHOT! Almost an immediate impact for Puncheon as he picks the ball up 20 yards from goal. He opens his body up and tries to steer an effort in, but his strike flies well over the bar.

There has been a slight change in Liverpool's shape with that sub at the break. Lallana has moved into the right wing-back role, while Balotelli and Sturridge are playing up front together.

Liverpool are level here at Selhurst Park, with Sturridge getting his second goal since returning from injury. Henderson clips a cross towards the back post and Sturridge lets it run across his body well before firing a volley past Speroni. That is a really good finish from the striker, who celebrates by doing his famous dance move with Moreno.

Good response from Palace as they look to regain their lead immediately. They have piled the pressure on since the equalising goal and Liverpool are being forced to weather a storm here.

SAVE! Almost a second goal for Palace as the ball drops to Gayle inside the box after a couple of unconvincing clearances from Liverpool. The striker hits it hard and low and Mignolet looks to see it late, but he gets down in time to make the stop.

We have a really good cup tie on our hands now. Palace had been inviting the pressure onto themselves a bit too much when they had the lead, but they have come out of their shells a little since the equaliser and both teams are now pushing for a winner.

It is Liverpool applying the pressure right now having weathered the initial response from Palace. They have been the better team on the whole today and will feel that they can go on to get a winner here.

Liverpool complete the turnaround! Balotelli wins a free kick in a dangerous position and takes it himself, drilling a powerful effort off the wet surface that Speroni can't hold on to. He spills the ball into a dangerous area and Lallana is following in well to tuck the rebound home.

Concern for Liverpool here as Sakho is down and looks to be in some pain inside the visitors' area. There didn't seem to be too much in the initial challenge and the reaction was a little delayed, but the defender is in a bit of trouble here.

Sakho is up and walks off the field, but he still doesn't look comfortable. It looks to be a rib injury, but he should be fine to continue.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: The Eagles make their second change of the night as Adlene Guedioura replaces Kelly.

Decent play for Puncheon as he twists and turns in midfield before getting the ball away to Guedioura. The sub moves the ball on for Souare, who goes down under the challenge of Lallana to give Palace a free kick in a good crossing position...

Liverpool deal with the danger well, however, getting the ball clear with minimal fuss following Gayle's delivery.

A hint of a penalty shout for Palace as the ball pops up in the area and looks to catch Moreno on the arm. It certainly hit the defender on the underside of his arm, but he could do nothing about it and the ref is right to ignore the claims.

Palace have looked the more likely to get the game's next goal since Liverpool took the lead but, with 20 minutes left, they are yet to truly test Mignolet in this second half. The next goal, if there is to be one, could be crucial in this game.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: A third and final change for Palace as Bolasie, who has been strangely subdued today, makes way to be replaced Wilfried Zaha.

Campbell gets the better of Can down the left channel, with the referee letting play go on despite the Liverpool man's claims that he was fouled. However, Campbell's subsequent cross is a disappointing one as it is cut out by Mignolet.

YELLOW CARD! Can is the latest name in the book for a tug on Guedioura, although that was a fairly soft one from the referee.

Liverpool haven't really got much going in an attacking sense in the last 10 minutes or so, with Sturridge's goal being the last time they really threatened Speroni.

LIVERPOOL SUBS: A double change for Liverpool as Rodgers uses up the rest of his subs, with Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren coming on for Sturridge and Coutinho.

Good spell of possession from Liverpool as they knock the ball around inside the Palace half for a long time before moving back to Mignolet and coming forward again. They are just taking the sting out of this one, preventing Palace from getting any momentum going.

Still the visitors keep possession, all the while frustrating Palace. This is exactly what they need to do, and they are showing really good game management right now.

A hint of a chance for Liverpool as Henderson wins the ball in a very dangerous position inside the Palace box. He takes it to the byline but then can't find Balotelli with his attempted cut-back.

Palace are really struggling to keep hold of the ball when they get it back, and credit has to go to Liverpool's pressing for that. The Reds are doing very well both on and off the ball in these closing stages and Palace can't get any sort of late pressure going.

Ward whips a decent ball into a dangerous area, but it is a fraction behind Campbell, who can't adjust his body to get anything on it. The striker looks to have hurt himself in the process there too, but he should be fine to continue.

There will be FIVE minutes of added time for Palace to keep themselves in the FA Cup. As things stand it is Liverpool who are going through to the quarter-finals.

Can concedes a free kick in a shooting position, but the ball is a little wider than Gayle may like. The striker goes for goal nonetheless, but his effort is high and wide of the target.

YELLOW CARD! Mignolet goes into the referee's book for the first time this season courtesy of a spot of time wasting.

Liverpool survive a late free kick to see out a victory that puts them into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup! Crystal Palace went into the break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Campbell's goal, but responses from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana shortly after the break gifted Liverpool the victory.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for another entertaining cup clash as Liverpool take one step closer to a first piece of silverware under Rodgers, coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 and progressing into the last eight of the FA Cup. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!