Palace v Liverpool

Selhurst Park, Sunday 4.00pm

FA Cup

Team news

Trevor Francis is boosted by the return of keeper Alex Kolinko from injury.

The Latvian international injured his hamstring in the 3rd round tie against Blackpool however he has declared himself fit and should replace recent signing Cedric Berthelin.

Meanwhile midfield Aki Riihilahti will definitely miss the cup clash having suffered a knock in training.

The Finnish midfielder will have to watch from the stands alongside defender Darren Powell who is also out injured.

Another doubt remains over the fitness of Dougie Freedman. The striker has not played since November having undergone a hernia operation, however Freedman took part in a reserve game on Wednesday and is likely to at least make it onto the subs bench.

Having already reached the Worthington Cup final and with one eye on the midweek Premiership tie against Arsenal, Gerrard Houllier could make some changes to his starting XI for the trip to Selhurst.

Djimi Traore should return to left back following a one game ban served in midweek against Sheffield United and is likely to replace John Arne Riise.

Midfield Salif Diao has also recently returned from suspension and should keep his place in central midfield.

Liverpool - league stats

Position	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points
6th	24	10	8	6	38

Full league table

Liverpool - current form

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
5	3	1	1	6	3

Full form table

Our home record v Liverpool

Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against
17	5	5	7	15	25

Last five results

Date	Type	Home Team	Score	Away Team
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
08/03/1995	League Cup	Crystal Palace	0 - 1	Liverpool

All time results

One to watch

Michael Owen

Liverpool's top scorer

Michael Owen - 16 goals

Liverpool's bad boy

Danny Murphy - 10 0

Palace old boys

None

The England frontman is still the reds' most gifted player, and will be out to show Selhurst what he can do, after missing some sitters two years ago. Liverpool have no other prolific striker in their squad: Owen could make or break their chances on Sunday.

Probable line-up

Johnson

Adebola

Granville

Gray

Black

Derry

Butterfield

Symons

Mullins

Popovic

Kolinko

Last meeting

Liverpool 5-0 Palace

Wednesday January 24 2001

Liverpool: Westerveld, Gerrard (Hamann 68), Carragher (Ziege 76), Henchoz, Hyypia, Biscan, Murphy, Litmanen, McAllister, Fowler, Smicer (Barmby 70).

Subs not used: Nielsen, Heskey.

Booked: -

Goals: Smicer 13, Murphy 15, 51, Biscan 18, Fowler 89

Palace: Kolinko, Smith, Harrison, Austin, Thomson, Carlisle (Pollock 57), Rubins (Gray 75), Rodger, Black, Forssell (Gregg 83), Morrison.

Subs not used: Ruddock, Kabba.

Booked: -
Sent Off: Kolinko (83).

Goals: -