Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the first of two Premier League clashes on Sunday as Crystal Palace host Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Both sides are in desperate need of a win having failed to impress so far this season, so we should have an entertaining match on our hands. This fixture provided arguably the standout 90 minutes of last season, and if we get half as much drama today then we are in for a treat. Let's get started with a look at the hosts...

Things have not gone too smoothly for Palace so far this season. The Eagles performed so well under Tony Pulis last campaign, and some had even tipped them for a top-half finish before this season began. However, they had a turbulent start when Pulis left the club just days before their first match, while replacement Neil Warnock has failed to pick up where the former Stoke boss left off. There have been one or two bright moments for Warnock so far, but Palace are certainly struggling right now.

Indeed, after Leicester drew and Burnley won yesterday, the Eagles not only slipped into the relegation zone but now sit 19th in the table, with only Queens Park Rangers below them. That will be a big worry for Warnock and the pressure is always greater once a team drops into the bottom three, but he will know that they will be back above the dotted line if they can avoid defeat today. Indeed, victory would lift them up to 15th in the table.

Incidentally, they are actually five points better off this season than they were at the same stage of the last campaign. They have only amassed nine points from their 11 outings so far, but that is more than double what they managed under Ian Holloway in the early stages of last term. Of course, Pulis then came in and did a sensational job, guided the Eagles up to 11th, with the eighth-best record in the league during his time there. Pulis was actually appointed a year ago this weekend, and Palace could do with that anniversary sparking a similar upturn in fortunes.

Warnock's Palace is a very different proposition to that of Pulis, however, and so far it has proved to be a less successful one. Pulis's teams were built on sturdy defences, and if they could nick a goal at the other end then that would be great. However, this time around they have the second leakiest defence in the division, with only rock-bottom QPR having conceded more.

They have kept just two clean sheets all season - only Leicester have managed fewer - while their last five matches have seen 10 goals scored against them. There is better news at the other end of the field, however, as the Eagles are scoring a lot more freely than they were under Pulis. No side in the bottom half - including the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham - have scored more goals than Palace's 14 this season.

They aren't quite getting the balance between defence and attack right, though, as their recent results show. They come into this match without a win in their last five outings, picking up just one point from a possible 15 in that time. Their last victory came all the way back in September when they beat Leicester 2-0, so any positive result this afternoon would be a major bonus and perhaps a turning point for the hosts.

Selhurst Park was something of a fortress under Pulis, but again that has not been the case under Warnock so far. They have only won one of their six home matches this season, and that run stretches back to one of their last eight if you include the tail end of the last campaign. They have picked up just four points in front of their own fans - fewer than they have managed away from home - losing four in all competitions this term.

If Palace are getting fed up with Selhurst Park, Liverpool will also have bad memories of this ground. It was here that their title challenge last season well and truly disintegrated as they collapsed in the final 11 minutes to let a three-goal lead slip. They were level on points with eventual champions Manchester City going into that game and victory would have sent them three points clear, albeit with inferior goal difference. The desire to cut that goal difference down following their defeat to Chelsea a week before was a large reason behind their capitulation, but it was still a shocking result for the Reds, with Luis Suarez reduced to tears at the final whistle.

Today sees Liverpool granted their first chance of revenge for that remarkable match, but such lofty ambitions of a title challenge seem a million miles away now. The Reds have looked a shadow of the side that came so close last season and come into this match languishing in the bottom half of the table. They have put in far too many lacklustre display this season and, with just 14 points from 11 games, face an uphill battle to even reach the top four.

Due to Manchester United's victory over Arsenal last time out, Liverpool are now five points adrift of the top four, but they could cut that gap to a much more healthy-looking two with victory today. Their main saving grace has been that the sides also expected to challenge for the Champions League places have been in poor form too, and three points this afternoon would send Liverpool level on points with Arsenal. Even so, the title is already beyond their grasp having slipped 18 points behind Chelsea now.

That gap grew to unassailable proportions in Liverpool's most recent outing as they squandered a one-goal lead to fall to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the unbeaten Blues at Anfield. Victory in that game may just have kept the dream on life support, but the top four is very much their priority now, and they need to return to form soon if they are to stay in the race. One of United, Arsenal, Tottenham or Everton surely must start to find a bit of consistency soon, and Liverpool will need to match that.

To begin that turnaround, they will need to stop a run of three consecutive defeats, the first that has happened to Liverpool in two-and-a-half years. Another defeat today would make it four in a row for the first time since 2009, and Rodgers will be desperate to avoid that with some whispers surrounding his job already beginning to surface. They have only won one of their last six in all competitions and two of their last eight in the league, which is simply not good enough for a side who came so close to winning that title last season.

The biggest difference between this year and last is the lack of goals for Liverpool. They netted 101 times in the league last season with Suarez and Sturridge up front, but with one departed and one continually injured this time around, no-one has been able to step up. Only Stoke have managed fewer goals in the top 12 of the table so far, while Liverpool's tally of 14 if the same as Palace have managed. At the other end things are still leaky too, with Liverpool keeping just two clean sheets all season, and two in their last 23 games dating back to the last campaign.

They boasted the best away record in the division last season as well, but have lost four of their last five on the road this term and five of their seven overall. Both of their away victories have come in London, against Tottenham and QPR, but the latter of those was far from convincing. Indeed, they have conceded 18 times in their last nine Premier League matches. No fewer than 10 of their 14 points so far this season have come against sides below them in the table, though, so they should be confident of coming away with a win today.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline news is that Balotelli is not in the squad due to injury, while Henderson also misses out through illness. Lambert leads the line for the Reds, supported by Sterling, Lallana and Coutinho. Palace, meanwhile, welcome back captain Jedinak from suspension, while Kelly and Gayle also come in. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Speroni; Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Ward; Jedinak, Ledley; Puncheon, Chamakh, Bolasie; Gayle

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Hangeland, Bannan, McArthur, Zaha, Campbell, Johnson

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson; Gerrard, Allen; Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling; Lambert

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Jones, Toure, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Borini, Markovic

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, Palace bringing Gayle back into the side in place of Campbell is not a huge surprise given the striker's fine record against Liverpool. He scored the final two goals in that thrilling 3-3 draw last season while also netting at Anfield, meaning that he has now managed three goals in his two Premier League appearances against the Reds. Whether that stands him in good stead this afternoon remains to be seen, but he will certainly be confident of finding the back of the net.

There is also a boost in the form of Bolasie being included, with doubts over his place due to so much travelling during the international break. He, Chamakh and Puncheon will provide the support for Gayle, with Zaha once again left on the bench by Warnock. Jedinak also returns in midfield having missed the last game through suspension, while his international break travels also left a question mark over his place. He has arguably been Palace's most important player this season, though, so they will be delighted to have him back.

At the back, Delaney had a mixed bag against Liverpool last season, scoring an own goal before sparking the comeback with his side's first of the night. He is joined in defence once more by Martin Kelly, who faces his former club on his return to the starting lineup. Interestingly, Hangeland is left on the bench by Warnock, with Dann preferred as Delaney's partner in central defence.

As for Liverpool, Skrtel and Lovren are once again the centre-backs trusted by Rodgers despite Toure's recent fine performance at the Bernabeu. Manquillo and Johnson fill in on the flanks, with Moreno dropped to the bench for this afternoon's match. Questions have been raised over Lovren's ability in particular this season, and the summer recruit does need to show a little more to prove that he is worth the big money Liverpool spent to sign him from Southampton.

In midfield, Allen is preferred to Lucas as Gerrard's partner in the absence of Henderson, while further forward Adam Lallana is handed a start having spent plenty of time on the bench recently. Can makes way for him despite scoring the goal against Chelsea, and Lallana will be keen to grab his chance and prove that he merits a more regular starting place in this side. Coutinho also starts, and when on form he has the ability to unlock any defence in the league.

Liverpool's biggest threat this afternoon is likely to come from Sterling, who has fallen short of his own high standards recently but is still one of the most important players for both club and country. He has suffered as much as anyone from Suarez's departure and Sturridge's injury, with the subsequent lack of movement up front making it a lot easier for defences to deal with the teenager. He is still a big threat due to his pace and composure, but we may not see him at his best again until Sturridge returns to fitness.

The most notable absentee from the side is Balotelli, who is out with a groin injury this afternoon. The Italian has been given plenty of chances by Brendan Rodgers but is yet to score a Premier League goal, so this is a huge opportunity for Lambert to stake a claim for a regular starting spot. With Sturridge now expected to be out for the remainder of the year, Lambert could well be in for a lot more playing time over the festive period.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Selhurst Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Both teams come into the game in pretty poor form and, while Palace hold home advantage, that hasn't served them too well so far this season. Liverpool have been uninspiring of late, but I'm still backing them to come away with a win this afternoon. I'll go for a 2-0 victory for the Reds.

A Liverpool victory was the unanimous prediction on the Sports Mole Sofa this week, with myself and my colleague both going for a two-goal margin. You can look at what we had to say about the game in our video preview below:

Of course, Liverpool fans will mostly remember last season's 3-3 draw when it comes to this fixture, but they actually have a very good record against Palace in the Premier League. They have only lost one of their 10 meetings, with that defeat coming way back in 2005 courtesy of an Andy Johnson winner. Liverpool have won six of those meetings, with three draws.

It is a slightly different story at Selhurst Park, though, where Palace have generally fared a bit better. Liverpool's Premier League record here stands at two wins, two draws and one defeat, while they have not won on any of their last five visits to Palace in all competitions. Their last victory here came in 1997, when Owen, McManaman and Leonhardsen scored in a 3-0 victory.

The first goal could be key in this game, with Liverpool having only been beaten by Chelsea when opening in the scoring in the game. However, the Reds have lost every match in which they have conceded first this season, making them one of only two teams - alongside Aston Villa - not to have recovered any points from losing positions so far.

KICKOFF: Jonathan Moss blows his whistle and the visitors get us underway at Selhurst Park as they look to gain a measure of revenge on Palace for last season as well as closing the gap to the top four.

What a start for Liverpool, and what a moment for Lambert! Lallana is the creator as the old Southampton connection pays dividends, with the midfielder sending a superb ball through the defence. Lambert has got beyond the last man and takes a touch control before coolly slotting the ball under Speroni. That is his first goal for his boyhood club, what a special moment for the veteran striker.

Well, Rodgers could not have wished for a better start than that. He has kept faith with Balotelli up front in recent weeks but, within two minutes of starting Lambert, the England international has scored. Could Liverpool have a new main striker in the absence of Sturridge?

Decent response from Palace, with Bolasie in particular looking bright in the opening stages. He was a doubt for this match after the international break, but he looks fresh enough at the moment and has already tested Manquillo a couple of times with his pace.

Allen has just been ordered off the field by Jonathan Moss due to blood pouring down his neck. It looks like he got a cut either on the back of his head or behind his ear following an earlier aerial clash with Bolasie inside the box.

It must be said that the pitch doesn't look too great today. It has been raining a lot in London today, and the turf appears to be cutting up underfoot, with could have an impact today.

Palace have their first shot of the afternoon, but it is a shocking one from Kelly. The full-back cut inside and was urged to shoot by those inside Selhurst Park, but they may keep their mouths shut next time. He blasts a terrible effort well off target.

Allen is back on the field with his head wrapped up in bandages. He has certainly been in the wars lately after also being smashed in the face by Fellaini in the Belgium vs. Wales game, but this latest wound doesn't seem to be bothering him too much.

Liverpool have enjoyed 60% of the ball in the opening 15 minutes or so, and it has been a solid start from the visitors. That early goal is exactly what they needed after such a poor run before the international break, and it seems to have settled any nerves they may have had.

Allen is back off the field with his bandage off, and he is in need of yet another shirt. The cut on his head is still bleeding and the physio needs to find a way to stop that.

Palace are level, and it is Gayle who does the business against Liverpool once again! Much of the credit has to go to Bolasie, however, as he fired a fine low strike past Mignolet and towards the bottom corner, only to see it smack off the foot of the post. Gayle was quickest to react to the rebound, and his effort hit Mignolet on the way.

It would be interesting to see whether that Gayle rebound was actually going in before it struck Mignolet. It wasn't the cleanest connection from the striker, who now has four goals in three games against Liverpool, and may well have been going wide, which could make it a Mignolet own goal. Just try taking it off Gayle, though!

Incidentally, Allen was off the field when that goal went in, receiving more treatment on his head wound. Bolasie took advantage of that space with his shot that hit the post, so the Welshman's temporary absence was certainly felt.

There have certainly been plenty of promising signs for Palace in this match so far. Given their recent form there was always the chance that they would let their heads drop having conceded so early, but they responded really well and will be pleased with their performance so far.

The Palace fans have been relentless as usual during this match, even after conceding the early goal. There can be no questions about the support this Palace side receive.

The visitors are struggling to find a way through right now. Sterling is forced to cut inside and go sideways across the field before lifting a ball towards Lambert, who can only flick a backward header straight to Speroni.

CHANCE! Decent chance for Liverpool to regain the lead as Gerrard puts a fine free kick into a very dangerous area. Lambert gets his head to it, but is always stretching and can't keep his header down having got the wrong side of Jedinak.

SAVE! Bolasie has looked like the biggest threat for Palace today, and he comes close again here as Liverpool fail to clear the ball despite having a number of chances. Bolasie cuts back on himself before digging out a fine effort from 25 yards that bounces just in front of Mignolet, who can only parry it wide.

Clear chances have been fairly few and far between so far, but neither side will be too disappointed with their performance. Liverpool have looked more balanced with Lambert up front but will want to gain more control over the game, while Palace will be happy with how they responded to going behind.

Clever play from Coutinho as he tries an early first-time reverse pass in to Lallana, but the former Southampton man just can't bring it under his spell. The linesman's flag is up anyway, although he looked to be level with Kelly.

CHANCE! Half a chance for the visitors as they break quickly. Lambert carries the ball forward from midfield and gives a pass out to Allen on the left before racing into the area. Allen finds his striker with a floated cross towards the back post, but once again Lambert is always stretching and can't steer his header on target.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: Delaney looks to have picked up an injury in that latest passage of play, although it is not clear what exactly happened to him. He is replaced by Brede Hangeland.

Liverpool break forward quickly through Coutinho, Allen and Sterling, but the move slows down a little in the final third and Palace are able to get bodies back. Eventually Sterling is crowded out on the left flank and loses the ball.

SHOT! Gerrard can certainly still hit them from open play! Allen squares a pass to his skipper, who leathers his effort towards goal from 25 yards. There is plenty of power on the shot, but he can't keep it down as it flies a few yards over the crossbar.

Liverpool have failed to really grab control of this game as they may have liked following their fine start. Here is a picture of Lambert celebrating that early goal, his first for the Reds.

CHANCE! Liverpool win a free kick in a good position, but Gerrard opts to cross the ball in rather than shooting. Palace deal with the danger and they break quickly as Bolasie leads the charge. He plays a one-two with Gayle before being thwarted by a fine Manquillo challenge inside the box.

It has been an even opening 45 minutes, with both sides having limited chances and vying for control of the game. A 1-1 scoreline is about right at the break.

SAVE! Mignolet is forced into a late save at the end of this first half, but it is a comfortable one for the keeper. Ward got the ball back outside the box and fired an effort in towards the near post, but Mignolet gathered easily.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

CHANCE! A mix-up between Coutinho and Gerrard gifts the ball back to Palace and Puncheon makes the most of it by slipping the ball through to Bolasie. The winger lines up a shot from a tight angle and fires it over the bar, but it is another threatening moment from him.

Jonathan Moss brings the teams in for half time, with Crystal Palace locked at 1-1 with Liverpool after an intriguing and even opening 45 minutes. It is nicely poised for the second half, with Liverpool enjoying the majority of possession so far but Palace looking threatening on the break.

The visitors opening the scoring after just 90 seconds as they made a perfect start to the match. Lallana picked the ball up in midfield and played a lovely ball over the top for his former Southampton teammate Lambert, who controlled it before sliding it past Speroni with a composed finish. It was the striker's first goal for his boyhood club and a great moment for him.

Palace responded well, however, and levelled things up 15 minutes later courtesy of a Dwight Gayle goal - his fourth in three games against Liverpool. Much of the credit deserves to go to Bolasie as he drilled a fine long-range effort towards goal that struck the foot of the post, rebounding to Gayle, who followed in well to sweep home the rebound. There was a touch of fortune about it with the ball bouncing straight back to Gayle, but he did what every good striker does and followed in.

Aside from the goal, Lambert has had a couple of other sights of goal for Liverpool, but both have been little more than half chances. Both have come through the aerial route, but he was stretching for his headers and could steer either on target. Even so, he does look capable of capitalising on balls into the box, and so far as justified his place in the starting lineup.

The best player on the park, though, has been Bolasie. The winger has been a constant threat on the break and, while Manquillo has stood up to the challenge fairly well, Bolasie still looks dangerous every time he comes forward. In addition to hitting the post in the build-up to Gayle's goal, he has drawn a good stop from Mignolet and forced Manquillo into a last-ditch block following a quick break.

KICKOFF: Palace get us back underway at Selhurst Park as they look to complete another turnaround against Liverpool here. Three points would be hugely valuable for both sides, so there is plenty to fight for in the coming 45 minutes.

Sterling wins a free kick in a good position for Liverpool having been pushed over by Kelly. Gerrard went for a cross from a similar position earlier, so what will he do this time?

SHOT! He goes for goal this time, looking to drive a powerful effort towards the top corner on the keeper's side. However, Speroni can watch it soar high and wide.

Palace win a free kick just inside the Liverpool half after Coutinho only had eyes for Jedinak in an aerial challenge. The hosts can be a real danger from such situations, but this time Dann can only help the ball on into the arms of Mignolet, who collects under no pressure.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the afternoon is shown to Skrtel, and he can have no complaints. He cynically blocked off Chamakh as Palace once again threatened to break.

Decent move from Liverpool as they come forward in numbers. The ball eventually arrives out to Manquillo on the right flank and he plays a low cross into a dangerous area, but it is cut out just before Lambert can get to it.

CHANCE! Decent chance for the visitors as Lambert holds firm against Speroni from a corner, preventing the keeper from getting an effective connection on Gerrard's inswinging delivery. The ball arrives to Skrtel at the back post, but he is off balance and can only slice a wild effort well wide.

SHOT! Gerrard has had a few good chances to have a go from range in this match, but he is yet to come up with one of his trademark piledrivers. He races onto a square ball here but slices his effort well wide of the target.

This second half has fallen into a similar rhythm to the one we saw in the first half. It has been scrappy at times, with the wet conditions making things tough for both sides. Liverpool are still dominating possession, with 70% of the ball since the restart, but there is always that threat of Palace breaking.

YELLOW CARD! Manquillo goes into the book for a tug on Chamakh right on the edge of the area. There were some calls for a penalty, but the referee got that one spot on.

SHOT! The ball is teed up to Jedinak from the resulting free kick, which gives the Liverpool wall the chance to close the Palace skipper down. His shot hits one of the defenders and loops over the top for a corner, which comes to nothing.

Palace are starting to see a little more of the ball now having been largely starved of possession in this second half so far. They have always looked dangerous on the break, but now they are beginning to apply a bit of sustained pressure on the Liverpool defence.

The hosts also reap the rewards from that pressure as Puncheon plays a very dangerous cross towards Bolasie at the far post. The winger threw himself at the ball, but Manquillo did just about enough to deal with the danger.

More good pressure from Palace as they force Liverpool into a number of desperate clearances inside their own box. The pressure comes to an end when Bolasie ran it out of play having tried to fake a cross, though. A rare mistake from the winger this afternoon.

It's Liverpool's turn to have some good possession inside the opposition half, but despite some neat football in the final third they can't get a sight at goal. Sterling does attempt to get a shot away, but his effort is blocked.

CHANCE! Decent chance for Liverpool as Johnson's low ball into the box almost finds Lambert in the middle. Speroni can't quite hold onto the ball but does just about enough to avert the danger before his defence can clear. Palace immediately break as Puncheon robs Gerrard of the ball, but Mignolet collects Gayle's subsequent low delivery well.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Liverpool to regain the lead! It is superb footwork from Coutinho as he dances past a number of players in a tight space before squeezing the ball to Sterling, who in turn feeds it to Manquillo. The Spanish full-back is in space inside the box, but fires his shot out for a throw-in when he should have hit the target. Terrible effort.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The visitors make a change here as Fabio Borini comes on for Lallana. An attacking switch from Brendan Rodgers.

LIVERPOOL SUB: That is swiftly followed by a second Liverpool change as Emre Can replaces Allen for the final 15 minutes or so.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: The hosts respond with a sub of their own, James McArthur replacing Puncheon in midfield.

Yannick Bolasie - take a bow. It is magnificent from the winger as he flicks the ball over his and Lovren's head before collecting it the other side of the Liverpool defender. He picks his head up and plays a low pass in to Ledley, who plants his effort past Mignolet. He had far too much space in the middle there, where was the defending?!

Where do Liverpool go from here? They have 10 minutes to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time since 2009, and this one would really sap the confidence from the visitors. Serious questions will be asked of Rodgers if things stay the same here.

Surely that is game over now, and this is a goal worthy of sealing any victory. Skrtel concedes a free kick for a shirt tug on Gayle, and Jedinak lines it up before curling an unstoppable effort over the wall and into the top corner from 30 yards. Magnificent strike from Palace, who look to be on their way out of the relegation zone.

What a three-minute spell that was the for the hosts. They now have a nice cushion to hold on to and, given how solid they have looked at the back for the vast majority of the game, it is hard to see any way back for the visitors now.

YELLOW CARD! Hangeland goes into the book for a foul on Sterling right on the edge of the area. Could this be their route back into the game?

SHOT! Gerrard goes for goal, but the free is too close if anything. The skipper can't get it back down in time having curled it over the wall, and it ends up a few yards over the top.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: The excellent Bolasie makes way for the closing stages of this match, with Barry Bannan coming on in his place.

Half a chance for the visitors as Sterling gets his head to a corner inside the area, nodding the ball into a dangerous area. Borini reacts quickest to hook a volley towards goal, but it is always rising and goes over the crossbar.

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match.

Good football from Palace as they look to end this match on the front foot. They knock the ball about inside the final third for a while before Ledley plays a rather tame effort wide of the mark.

The referee's whistle is greeted by huge cheers around Selhurst Park as Palace pull off another famous result against Liverpool. Once again they needed to come from behind, although this time their three goals were enough for all of the points as they run out 3-1 victors to move out of the relegation zone. It is yet more misery for Liverpool, however, who remain in the bottom half courtesy of their sixth league defeat of the season.

Liverpool made a perfect start to the match when Rickie Lambert gave them the lead after just 90 seconds, but Dwight Gayle levelled things up 15 minutes later by tapping home a rebound after Bolasie had hit the post. Bolasie was the creator again for the second goal as he teed up Joe Ledley, while Mile Jedinak sealed the points with a super free kick just three minutes later.

Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for another memorable match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park as the hosts move out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings, which will be on site shortly. You can also follow our live coverage of Hull City vs. Tottenham Hotspur by clicking here. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!