Predicted Liverpool starting XI today: £100k-a-week ace returns, Jurgen Klopp opts for 25-year-old

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Liverpool are back in Premier League action early this afternoon, hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds ran out 2-1 winners over Spurs at Anfield on Wednesday evening to leapfrog the North Londoners and build a three-point lead at the summit.

Liverpool will face another London opponent today, taking on Crystal Palace away in a 12:30pm kickoff.

The Eagles have won just one of their last five league games but are unbeaten in their last three and will climb into the top half of the table should they beat the Reds.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have struggled away from home in recent weeks, so they’ll be eager to put this right.

In terms of team news, Joel Matip is back in training after missing out on the win over Spurs with a back issue – the £100,000-a-week ace should be available for the Selhurst Park trip.

Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota are recovering well from their injuries but will require more time to reach full fitness.

So, who could Klopp pick in his starting XI today?

The back line will likely be very similar to that which faced Spurs, with Alisson Becker, Andrew Robertson, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold all likely to start.

Although Rhys Williams did well, the 19-year-old will probably come out of the XI and be replaced by his more experienced colleague.

Likewise, fellow academy graduate Curtis Jones, who like Williams was superb against Spurs, could be dropped in favour of Naby Keita.

The 25-year-old was on the bench and due to come on in stoppage time against the North Londoners but didn’t get the chance.

Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum will likely retain their places in midfield, while up front, the trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, in Jota’s absence, picks itself.

Predicted Liverpool XI v Palace (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane