How Liverpool could line up against Crystal Palace

Liverpool will again have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points when they host Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday.

Closest challengers Manchester City are not in action until Sunday, meaning that the Reds could once again put the champions under pressure having returned to winning ways at Brighton last time out.

The match will be Liverpool's first at Anfield in 2019, and having crashed out of the FA Cup it will also be their last outing until January 30.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Jurgen Klopp could set his side out for the contest.

Out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Joe Gomez (leg), Dejan Lovren (hamstring), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee) Doubtful: Georginio Wijnaldum (knee), Adam Lallana (unspecified)

Liverpool have something of an injury crisis in defence, with Trent Alexander-Arnold having joined Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren on the sidelines.

The return of Joel Matip to the bench during last weekend's win over Brighton was timely, then, and he could come back into the starting lineup for this match despite Fabinho's impressive display as a makeshift centre-back.

Fabinho is likely to return to his favoured position in midfield, but James Milner could be called up as an emergency right-back in place of Alexander-Arnold.

Georginio Wijnaldum is battling to be fit after a knee injury and must then also contend with Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita for a place in the starting lineup, although when fit he has been a regular inclusion for Klopp this season.

With such a lengthy rest between this match and their next one, Klopp will have no qualms about playing his first-choice front three once again, while Xherdan Shaqiri will also be hopeful of retaining his starting role.