The Advertiser spoke to Liverpool fan Graeme Huddy ahead of this afternoon's FA Cup clash, and he feels the Reds will come away with a narrow win...
Liverpool don't like Selhurst Park, do they? Bad memories in 2014.
In 2014 we had two nightmare performances there. In May, when we went into a 3-0 lead I thought it was in the bag. Nobody could have foreseen the turnaround to 3-3, even with our leaky defence. We've obviously had bad days at Palace in the FA Cup before thinking back to Alan Pardew's winner in 1990 and a 0-0 draw in 2003 in which we lost the replay 0-2 at Anfield. So I'd say we have struggled at Selhurst Park enough to make us wary of them and not take them lightly.
Saying that, you have picked up some form since the turn of the year?
Yes, we remain unbeaten since the loss at Old Trafford in December and we have only lost to Chelsea in the League Cup 2nd Leg at Stamford Bridge since that. What is encouraging is the level of performance appears to be edging back towards that of last season where we won 11 games in a row. Brendan Rodgers should be praised for changing to 3-4-3 formation and utilising Emre Can as a centre back as this seems to have coincided with an upturn in form. Having Daniel Sturridge back is a massive boost at this crucial time of the season, too.
Is the FA Cup more of a realistic target than a top four finish?
We can't give up on a Champions League spot as I feel it would be damaging for us to have only been back for one season. We need to show that we are up there year in, year out and use it as a foundation to build on in order to challenge. However, I see the FA Cup as a realistic target and I think the club identify with the fans that silverware this season would help support what we have been doing since Rodgers was appointed.
Which Palace players are you cautious of?
Dwight Gayle, for obvious reasons. I like Yannick Bolasie too. He is pacey and has some real quality and caused us issues in November. Jason Puncheon is also a dangerman and Palace even seem to be able to squeeze a goal or two from Marouane Chamakh.
And finally, how do you think the game will go, a score prediction?
I think we will win by the odd goal but as always against Palace we will not have it all our own way and despite the recent clean sheets I think we will concede. If we approach the game with calm and composure and stick to our game I see us winning 2-1.
