Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted his team face a “super important week” as they look to push themselves back into Premier League top four contention.
The Merseysiders — seventh in the table, nine points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place — face Wolves at Anfield on Wednesday then arch-rivals Manchester United at home on Sunday.
Klopp's side have two games in hand on Spurs and need to make the first one count against a Wolves team they are facing for a fourth time in 11 games. They played the Midlands club twice in the FA Cup, winning the replay 1-0 before losing 3-0 in the reverse league fixture earlier this month.
“Nothing I saw in training suggests we don't have a chance,” Klopp said of their now very familiar opponents. “We know a lot about each other and we know it won't be easy. There won't be the most surprising information and we have to make sure we are ready.
“It is a super important week, we cannot ignore that. We have two home games … I would love to give the season a little push in this week and we need results for that. And for results we need good performances.
“The main difference is we will play at Anfield and we have to make that count. It's a long period between games, we want to put it right. But I am more focused on giving the season a proper push, we need to find a steady mood.”
Crystal Palace 0 Liverpool 0: Player ratings
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CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Vicente Guaita - 7. Wasn’t needed to make a save in the first half. Looked convincing when called upon to deal with crosses in the second. AFP -
Tyrick Mitchell - 8. Had a good game against Salah and Arnold on the right wing. Successfully kept the Egyptian forward quiet. AFP -
Nathaniel Clyne - 8. Did well to limit Robertson’s attacking contribution without much help from Olise. Frustrated Jota in the second half. EPA -
Marc Guehi - 8. Almost opened the scoring for Palace with a header. Supported Michell to good effect on the left side of defence. EPA -
Joachim Andersen - 9. Exemplary performance in the middle of the defence for Andersen. Was crucial in dealing with the Reds' aerial balls. Reuters -
Cheick Doucoure - 7. A little passive in the first half but dropped back well to deny Gakpo the spaces he had earlier enjoyed after the break. Worked hard alongside Lokonga. Getty -
Albert Sambi Lokonga - 8. Did well under pressure from Liverpool attackers and was crucial to Crystal Palace building play from the back. Looked a cut above his peers in midfield. Getty -
Jordan Ayew - 6. Displayed excellent footwork to beat three Liverpool players and create a chance for Olise in the first half. Wasted several chances to set up his teammates after the break. Getty -
Michael Olise - 7. Frustrated by Robertson in the first half. Became more involved in the second with his bursting runs and incisive passing. EPA -
Jeffrey Schlupp - 7. Had a busy day dealing with Arnold and helping out with Salah. Did well to dispossess Arnold and set up Mateta for a shot which hit the crossbar in the first half. EPA -
Jean-Philippe Mateta - 7. Should have done better when he was played through on goal by Arnold’s back pass. Was unlucky to see his shot hit the crossbar after beating Alisson in at the end of the first half. AP -
SUBS: Eberechi Eze (Jeffrey Schlupp, 71') - N/A. Struggled against the efficient Milner on the right wing. Has to do more if he is to work his way into the starting line-up. Odsonne Edouard (Mateta, 71') - N/A. AP -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson - 8. Did well to deny Mateta early in the game. Was certainly the busier goalkeeper with four saves. PA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. A back pass straight to Mateta almost gave Palace the lead in the first half. Looked dangerous with his crosses in the second. EPA -
Andy Robertson - 6. Did well to keep Olise quiet on the right wing in the first 45 minutes. Struggled after the break as Olise dropped deeper to receive the ball and run at him. Reuters -
Joel Matip - 6. Had a couple of shaky moments. Continued with his struggles after the break and had to be bailed out by Van Dijk twice. EPA -
Virgil Van Dijk - 8. An assured game in the middle of defence for the towering center-back. Led the back line well and helped out his teammates. AFP -
Naby Keita - 5. Picked up an early yellow which hindered his ability to break up play. Subbed off at the beginning of the second half. PA -
Jordan Henderson - 7. Unlucky to have blocked an Alexander Arnold shot that seemed to be going into the top corner. Worked hard to track back and also support the attack. EPA -
James Milner - 7. Worked hard in the middle of the field and provided adequate cover for the marauding Arnold. Dealt well with Eze when he tucked in to replace the tiring Arnold at right-back. AFP -
Mohamed Salah - 6. Had a quiet first half. Burst to life in the second, and almost gave Liverpool the lead with a shot that came off the crossbar. AFP -
Diogo Jota - 6. Hit the crossbar from a difficult angle in the first half. Snatched at a number of half chances before he was substituted after the break. AP -
Cody Gakpo - 7. Was a handful for Crystal Palace defenders as he dropped deep to facilitate play. Had a much quieter second half but could have grabbed the winner when he was played through on goal by Salah in the 80th minute. Getty -
SUBS: Harvey Elliott (Naby Keita, 46') - 5. Looked energetic after coming on, but has to get more involved and become more pivotal. Getty -
Roberto Firmino (Diogo Jota, 71) - N/A. Forced into an early yellow, and looked far from his best. Getty -
Fabinho (Arnold, 71) - N/A. Lost possession to leave his defenders in a dangerous position immediately after coming on. Dropped deep to help out the backline as the Eagles piled on the pressure. Stefan Bajcetic (Gakpo, 85) - N/A. AFP
Liverpool still have several injuries, however, with influential midfielder Thiago Alcantara still sidelined with a hip problem, while defender Joe Gomez is also ruled out with a muscle injury.
The club did receive a boost with Luis Diaz returning to training after a knee injury but Klopp said the Colombian forward has not been back with the first-team yet.
Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez is a doubt with a shoulder injury but Klopp said it was a huge boost to have former Wolves winger Diogo Jota finally back from injury.
“Diogo is an exceptional player. He needs to get rhythm now,” Klopp added. “He was tired after the game on Saturday [a 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace] and we have to see. He will definitely be involved again … He's a top class player, versatile, helpful for this busy period.”
