Liverpool v Palace

Anfield, Wednesday 8.00pm

Dougie Freedman

Team news

Following the shocking revelations from Simon Jordan that Alex Kolinko refused to play against Leicester and that the Latvian international will not line up against Liverpool Trevor Francis will be forced to play Cedric Berthelin in goal with youngster Lance Cronin promoted to the bench.

Speaking about the fixture, young Cronin said: "It is right place, right time. It's brilliant news.

"A friend of mine told me I was in and I went to check on the noticeboard where they put up the team sheets before games and there I was.

"I am really looking forward to it. To being part of a match that should include players such as Michael Owen is exciting.

"If I get on I intend to swap jerseys with their goalkeeper, Jerzy Dudek.

"I am not wishing Cedric gets badly injured, but I wouldn't mind him getting a little knock so I can get on.

"If it happens I will be a little nervous when I warm up to go on but after that I will be okay because I will be concentrating on my game."

Ade Akinbiyi injured his knee having come on as a sub against Leicester at the weekend and is rated as doubtful, however with Dougie Freedman back from injury Francis will have to decide whether to drop either Black, Johnson or Adebola to make way for the much needed Dougster.

Liverpool will have to make do without midfielder Steven Gerrard as he starts a three-match ban following his controversial two-footed tackle on Gary Naysmith in the Merseyside derby.

However Dietmar Hamann could start following a long lay off due to a shin injury.

Liverpool will also be without Vladimir Smicer - suspended after picking up five bookings.

Following Chris Kirkland’s injury in the original tie at Selhurst Park Polish international Jerzy Dudek will continue in goal for the reds.

Having been rested at the weekend Michael Owen may replace Milan Baros up front and once again partner Emile Heskey.

Liverpool - league stats

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Liverpool - current form

Full form table

Our away record v Liverpool

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
26/01/2003	FA Cup	Crystal Palace	0 - 0	Liverpool
24/01/2001	League Cup	Liverpool	5 - 0	Crystal Palace
10/01/2001	League Cup	Crystal Palace	2 - 1	Liverpool
13/04/1998	League	Liverpool	2 - 1	Crystal Palace
13/12/1997	League	Crystal Palace	0 - 3	Liverpool

All time results

One to watch

Emile Heskey

With Owen mis-firing of late, Heskey has grabbed his return to the front two with both hands. The Palace defence dealt with him well at Selhurst, but the big man may be an altogether different proposition at Anfield.

Probable line-up

Johnson Adebola
Mullins Black Derry
Granville	Symons	Powell	Popovic	Butterfield
Berthelin

Last meeting

Palace 0-0 Liverpool

Sunday January 26 2003

Palace: Kolinko, Fleming, Symons, Popovic, Butterfield, Mullins, Derry, Gray (Granville, 81), Black (Routledge, 65), Adebola (Akinbiyi, 74), Johnson

Subs not used: Berthelin, Borrowdale

Booking: Fleming

Liverpool: Kirkland ( Dudek, 25), Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Murphy, Gerrard, Cheyrou (Diao, 89), Diouf (Biscan, 85), Owen, Heskey

Subs not used: Baros, Mellor

Bookings: Carragher, Cheyrou

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