Chris Sutton has given his verdict on how he sees Crystal Palace faring against Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow (April 25th). The Eagles head to Merseyside following a dull 0-0 against West Ham United on Monday.
Oliver Glasner has an excellent record against the Reds, winning four of six meetings. He has yet to taste defeat away to the Premier League champions since replacing Roy Hodgson in February 2024.
Liverpool are on course to achieve Champions League qualification, but can’t afford to slip up with five games left of their season. Arne Slot’s men are fifth, five points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chris Sutton Predicts
Glasner insisted, following the draw against West Ham, that his troops were focused on the Premier League just as much as the UEFA Conference League. But many believe all eyes are on the semi-final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
That was certainly Sutton’s view when he gave his prediction for tomorrow’s game. He touched on Slot looking likely to be in charge at Anfield come next season in his BBC Sport column:
“Slot really needs a strong end to the campaign and to secure Champions League football for next season, and another win here would move them even closer to that… All the noise coming out of Anfield doesn’t indicate there is going to be a managerial change come the end of the season.”
Sutton did feel the Reds were fortunate to beat Everton 2-1 last weekend and doesn’t rule out a Palace win:
“It would not surprise me if Crystal Palace went to Anfield and won because they have done it already this season, and appear well-suited to playing Liverpool.”
He added:
“Palace are over their mid-season blip too but, on the flip side, they don’t have much to play for in the league now they are essentially safe… They may also have Europe on their mind, because the Conference League gives them a chance of another trophy and they play Shakhtar on Thursday.”
Sutton predicted:
“But Liverpool are far from convincing at the moment – Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz look miles off it – so why I do I still feel myself edging towards Liverpool here?”
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace
Adam Wharton Available
Glasner could be set to recall Adam Wharton for the Liverpool game as the English midfielder has been passed fit. It’s great news for the Eagles as the 22-year-old has been vital this season.
Wharton came off in the first half of a 2-1 loss (4-2 win on aggregate) against Fiorentina in the Conference League quarter-finals last Thursday. He sat out the draw against West Ham.
Glasner confirmed that he had suffered an issue with his Adductor, the same injury that saw him withdraw from international duty with England. But he is set to be available for the trip to Anfield.
