Liverpool can take another step towards Champions League qualification by beating Crystal Palace, as Anfield stages its latest protest against ticket prices.
Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
Premier League (34) | Anfield
Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 3pm (BST)
The Reds host Oliver Glasner’s side on Saturday afternoon, looking to build on last weekend’s dramatic Merseyside derby win.
With five Premier League games remaining, it’s a case of Liverpool securing a top-five finish, but possibly ending up third.
Here’s all you need to know ahead of the clash with Palace.
Another big step towards the Champions League?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates in front of the travelling supporters after the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last weekend’s 2-1 win at Everton wasn’t only a joyous derby victory, but it was also vital in the fight for Champions League football.
Liverpool have now opened up a healthy gap on sixth place, sitting five points clear of Brighton and with a game in hand.
There are trips to Man United and Aston Villa to come, and the visit of Chelsea, so a slip-up must be avoided against Palace.
Liverpool have had a week without a game, which should only stand them in good stead, while Palace have one eye on their upcoming Conference League semi final in the week.
Another protest planned at Anfield
There has been widespread criticism of increased ticket prices among Liverpool’s fanbase, with protests staged outside Anfield this month, and banners unfurled on the Kop.
Now, another protest will take place in the 13th minute of Saturday’s clash, with thousands of yellow cards set to be hoisted aloft.
The cards will be distributed to match-going fans before kick-off, in the latest act of defiance from supporters.
? Saturday: @LFC v Crystal Palace.
?? Show FSG The Yellow Card
1??3?? Raise your yellow card on the 13th minute
?Tell them: Enough Is Enough – *NO* to THREE YEARS of price rises
?Pick one up outside Anfield before the match. pic.twitter.com/KeRAKgClr1
— Spirit of Shankly (@spiritofshankly) April 20, 2026
Palace impressing despite key exits
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr celebrates with the trophy after the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
Palace’s season started with a victory over Liverpool in the Community Shield at Wembley, with the Eagles prevailing on penalties.
Glasner’s men have had their bad results, but they have fared impressively after losing Eberechi Eze last summer and then Marc Guehi in January.
Palace may sit 13th in the Premier League, but they are only seven points behind sixth-place Brighton with two games in hand.
Not only that, but the south Londoners are in the semi-finals of the Conference League, facing Shakhtar Donetsk over two legs in the next fortnight.
Liverpool team news
Liverpool will have to make do without Giorgi Mamardashvili this weekend after he suffered a horrible gash to his leg against Everton.
But Alisson could potentially return, with Arne Slot providing an update on the Brazilian in Friday’s press conference.
“Ali is close to returning to play, let’s see if tomorrow comes too early, yes or no,” Slot said.
“That leaves of course Freddie Woodman as an option who is definitely fit.”
Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo are all out with serious injuries – while, Hugo Ekitike has had successful surgery after rupturing his Achilles.
Liverpool starting XI prediction
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates with team-mates Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones (R) after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Freddie Woodman will make his first Premier League start for Liverpool if Alisson isn’t fit.
Slot may bring Jeremie Frimpong back into the team at right-back, but Curtis Jones performed well there in the derby.
Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister could also play, while teenage striker Will Wright trained with the senior team this week so could make the bench.
In attack, Mohamed Salah has found some form and will surely be in the XI, in his third-last home game for Liverpool.
Predicted LFC XI: Woodman; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Isak.
How will Crystal Palace line-up vs. Liverpool?
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 27, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz is challenged by Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton during the FA Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Palace drew 0-0 at home to West Ham on Monday night, and their starting lineup is likely to look similar.
That said, rumoured Liverpool transfer target Adam Wharton is fit again and could return to the heart of the midfield.
Glasner will have one eye on Europe next Thursday, so there may be a part of him that is willing to rotate a little and also not risk Wharton.
Cheick Doucoure (muscle), Evann Guessand (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (thigh) are all out for Palace.
Possible Crystal Palace XI: Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Richards; Munoz, Hughes, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Johnson; Mateta
Liverpool’s home record vs. Crystal Palace
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool players give the newly crowned FA Cup winners a guard of honour before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It was Palace who Liverpool drew 1-1 with at Anfield last May before lifting the Premier League trophy last May, and they have fared well there in recent years.
An Eze goal sealed a 1-0 win in April 2024, and in 2022/23, they picked up another 1-1 draw.
Liverpool’s last home win against Palace was back in September 2021, when goals from Sadio Mane, Salah and Naby Keita inspired a 3-0 victory.
Palace also won 3-0 at Anfield in the Carabao Cup last-16 earlier this season.
Did You Know?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah touches the badge as he celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Salah isn’t the force he was, but his numbers this season are still superior to less-criticised English attackers.
The Egyptian has 12 goals in all competitions, with Cole Palmer (10), Phil Foden (10) and Bukayo Saka (9) all trailing behind.
Salah also has eight assists – Foden and Saka have five apiece, and Palmer only has three.
Only one player out of the four has constantly been criticised, and he is 33 and not in his early to mid-20s!
Who is the referee for Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 22, 2021: Referee Andy Madley during the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andy Madley is in charge of Saturday’s game, refereeing Liverpool for the third time in the league this season.
The first was the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, then the 1-1 draw at home to Burnley, so he isn’t exactly a lucky omen!
Madley is assisted by Simon Bennett and Craig Taylor – Paul Tierney is the fourth official – while Neil Davies is on VAR duty. Sian Massey-Ellis is his deputy.
Follow the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace isn’t live on UK television, due to it being a Saturday 3pm kick-off.
TIA’s matchday live blog is the best place to keep up with the action, with Harry McMullen providing minute-by-minute updates from 2.15pm.
Come on you Reds!