Three key battles in Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Moreno v Zaha

Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno was so impressive at Stamford Bridge last weekend that even earned praise from former Chelsea midfielder Pat Nevin. The Spain international has made the Liverpool left-back spot his own in recent weeks under Jurgen Klopp with a series of resilient performances. While the former Sevilla man can get forward to great effect, a question mark remains over his defensive capabilities. His pace can often bail him out of trouble, but Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha can more than rival Moreno for speed. The 22-year-old scored in Steven Gerrard’s final game at Anfield last season as Palace were 3-1 winners to spoil the Liverpool legend’s swansong on Merseyside. Zaha will pose a particular threat on the break as Palace look to hit the Reds on the break. Moreno needs to show that he is becoming more defensively astute under Klopp.

Can/Milner v Cabaye

Crystal Palace’s chief schemer Yohan Cabaye is a man who needs no introduction. The France international has effortlessly settled back into Premier League life. The 29-year-old has scored four goals and made one assist despite starting eight of his 10 games in a defensive-midfield role. Klopp has brought his gegenpressing philosophy to Anfield, and the Liverpool manager will task Emre Can and James Milner with limiting Cabaye’s influence from deep-lying positions. The Reds can’t afford to allow the Frenchman to dictate in the heart of the midfield. The former Newcastle United playmaker’s darting runs forward will also need to be monitored as Cabaye can often ghost into the opposition area undetected, like he did at Norwich City earlier this season.

Lucas v Puncheon

Jason Puncheon was another of Palace’s party poopers at Anfield last May. The 29-year-old forward placed a 20-yard free-kick past Simon Mignolet in their 3-1 win. Puncheon hasn’t opened his goal account for this campaign, but Anfield is favourite haunting spot of the Palace man. Lucas Leiva walked a disciplinary tightrope at Stamford Bridge last weekend. While the Brazilian worked hard to deny Chelsea’s playmakers a chance to test his Liverpool back four, Lucas conceded a series of set-pieces in potentially dangerous positions. Puncheon, alongside Cabaye, will be more than capable of testing Mignolet from areas just outside the Liverpool area. Lucas will need to adopt a measured approach to any cynical fouls that he needs to commit should Palace catch Liverpool on the break. Puncheon’s pace will also pose a threat.