‘He should be back’ – Crystal Palace set for major injury boost ahead of Liverpool clash

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Beating Palace will be even tougher with Wharton in the side

A tough assignment against the Eagles would undoubtedly become even more difficult if – as expected – Wharton is cleared to play at Anfield on Saturday.

The Reds continue to be strongly linked with the midfielder, who Alex Crook claimed (via talkSPORT) is ‘expected to leave’ Palace in the summer, and their next game could potentially represent an audition for the 22-year-old if he were to desire a transfer to LFC.

With Wataru Endo now 33, and neither Ryan Gravenberch nor Alexis Mac Allister a pure no.6, Wharton would give Liverpool a true long-term defensive midfield option if sporting director Richard Hughes can entice him to Merseyside ahead of next season.

In the immediate term, Arne Slot’s side – who have a few injury absentees of their own – will need to be at their sharpest if they’re to minimise Wharton’s impact on proceedings at Anfield at the weekend, especially given the Eagles’ record against us over the past year.

An overdue win against Palace would go some way towards achieving Champions League qualification and building upon the crucial victories over Fulham and Everton.