Liverpool handed huge injury boost as star player returns for Crystal Palace clash

  • Alisson Becker back in goal for Liverpool after 14 games out due to injury
  • Understudy Caoimhin Kelleher returns to the bench
  • Reds need victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League title race

Alisson is back in the starting lineup for Liverpool
Alisson is back in the starting lineup for Liverpool / Stu Forster/GettyImages
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Alisson Becker has returned to Liverpool's starting XI for the visit of Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Brazilian hasn't played since the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal at the start of February due to a hamstring injury, with understudy Caoimhin Kelleher starting 14 consecutive games in all competitions since.

However, the Republic of Ireland international is now back among the substitutes with manager Jurgen Klopp bringing Alisson into his team to face the Eagles at Anfield.

There are starts elsewhere for Curtis Jones in midfield alongside Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister, while Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.


Alisson Becker
Alisson is back in action / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

Conor Bradley starts again at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold named on the bench like he was in the 3-0 defeat to Atalanta on Thursday night.

The Reds need a big response to their midweek disappointment in the Europa League, with their hopes of Premier League title glory still in the balance. Klopp's side can leapfrog Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table with victory on Sunday, though the Gunners could reclaim first place themselves should they beat Aston Villa.

However, their injury concerns are starting to ease towards the end of the campaign. Stefan Bajcetic recently featured in a youth game, with Ben Doak, Joel Matip and Thiago now the only players currently absent.

Liverpool will hope to have a similarly clean bill of health after the Palace clash as they go about trying to overturn the 3-0 deficit in Italy on Thursday. Two goals from Gianluca Scamacca and a late Mario Pasalic strike mean the Merseysiders need to pull off a huge comeback in Bergamo, but Klopp's side have achieved similar feats in the past.

Sunday, however, provides the chance for Liverpool to get back to winning ways after being held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester United last time out in the Premier League.


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