Despite reaching their first Wembley final since 2016, Liverpool have been backed to face a tricky test when they come up against Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Reds travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday hoping that Diogo Jota’s midweek brace against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final decider will provide the momentum for a chase of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool will still be without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita, though, with the trio's absence due to AFCON commitments continuing to be a much-talked about issue surrounding the team’s fortunes in front of goal.
After an initial stutter against Arsenal in the first leg last week, Liverpool have scored five times in their last two games, with the 2-0 win at the Emirates coming on the back of a 3-0 league success at home to Brentford.
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But Mark Lawrenson and Paul Merson both remain unconvinced and have backed the Reds to drop points against Palace.
Making his predictions for BBC Sport , Anfield legend Lawrenson claimed that Liverpool’s efforts in the Carabao Cup could affect them on Sunday and has predicted that his former side will be held to a 1-1 draw.
“While Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are away, Liverpool have to work harder for a breakthrough whoever they play, and Palace are good enough defensively to make it really difficult for them,” he said.
Ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson agrees with Lawrenson’s line of thinking and has claimed that this could be the game that 'bites them' in the title race.
The Sky Sports pundit also believes the Reds will be forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Patrick Viera’s 'impressive' Palace side.
“This is a hard match for Liverpool. This could be the Premier League game that bites them. If they don’t win on Sunday, they’ll be in trouble in the Premier League title race,” Merson told Sportskeeda .
“[Palace are] having an impressive season under Vieira and they’ll cause Liverpool a few problems.
“Liverpool will have to do without Mane and Salah this weekend and Crystal Palace could hold them to a draw.”
However, former Reds striker Michael Owen has predicted a routine 3-1 win for his old club.
“No Mane, no Salah, no problem for Liverpool last week against Brentford,” Owen said in his column for Bet Victor .
“I said other players would have to step up, and they did. Oxlade-Chamberlain was excellent, and Jota was a threat throughout.
“It’s not going to be easy without those two, but they showed they have enough to still beat the teams they are favoured against.”
