Following their tiring Europa League exploits in midweek, Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon when they face Crystal Palace at Anfield.

The Reds appear to have turned a corner under Jurgen Klopp, drawing three and winning three, but the eccentric German still has plenty of work to do to turn his side into real top-four challengers.

Liverpool

We are now approaching the one-month anniversary of Klopp's arrival at Anfield, in which time the ex-Borussia Dortmund chief has seemingly remained constantly under the media glare.

That was always going to be the case, of course, following arguably the Premier League's second biggest managerial appointment since the return of Jose Mourinho in 2013.

Judging by results alone, it is fair to say that it is so far so good in this new era on Merseyside, with three draws on the bounce being followed up by successive wins in three different competitions over the past week or so.

First came a League Cup triumph over Bournemouth to provide Klopp with his first Liverpool win, before an impressive 3-1 success against Chelsea and a slender victory away at Rubin Kazin last time out.

It was the three points picked up at Stamford Bridge in particular that got supporters even more excited, coming after Ramires had fired the Blues ahead early on.

All that leaves the Reds in the quarter-finals of the cup, second in their Europa League group with two games to go, and also - perhaps more importantly - within four points of a Champions League berth.

After a turbulent few weeks things appear to now be back on track just about, although four draws in the space of five league matches leading up to the win over Chelsea certainly leaves room for improvement.

Liverpool know that they will not be able to rely on the odd piece of Philippe Coutinho magic every week, while opposition sides will also not be quite as fragile as Mourinho's men currently are.

The next big task on Klopp's hands now, having steadied the ship somewhat, is to get Liverpool back to winning ways on home soil on a more consistent basis.

Two wins from their last six matches at Anfield - a tally on par with Watford to give it some context - is not good enough for this famous old club who have been left playing catch-up.

Recent form in Premier League: DWDDDW
Recent form (all competitions): DDDWWW

Crystal Palace

If there is one side Liverpool have grown increasingly frustrated of playing against in recent times, it is certainly Palace.

This fixture has provided a couple of the Premier League's standout moments, with a 3-3 draw in 2014 effectively ending the Reds' title hopes, before the Eagles again stunned their opponents earlier this year in Steven Gerrard's Anfield farewell game.

It comes as little surprise, then, to hear Alan Pardew tell his players to put their opponents "under pressure" on Sunday in an attempt to inflict a first defeat in seven on Klopp.

While Liverpool's home record has hardly been all that inspiring this term, the complete opposite can be said of Palace's away form since Pardew was appointed midway through last season.

The South London outfit have won nine and lost just four on their travels since the former Newcastle United boss took over at Selhurst Park, with that run including a memorable 2-1 win at Chelsea in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Palace's results have been more up and down than any other team's so far in 2015-16, which is underlined by their position exactly midway in the Premier League table.

That ultimately means that this term could still go either way for Pardew, who will surely see anything other than a top-half finish as a real disappointment on the back of last season's heroics when taking over.

With home games against strugglers Sunderland and Newcastle to come before the month is out, as well as a meeting with Everton, the platform is certainly now there for the Eagles to climb the table ahead of tougher tests.

A lack of goals could prevent them from doing so, though, having scored just four times in their last seven league matches - three of which have been Yohan Cabaye penalties.

Recent form in Premier League: LWWLLD
Recent form (all competitions): WWLLLD

Team News

Connor Wickham is "not 100%" at this moment in time according to Pardew, who will also still likely be without Marouane Chamakh for the trip to Merseyside.

Both players have returned to training and do have an outside chance of featuring, while Pape Souare is definitely fit to start.

The only other worry for the Eagles concerns the fitness of Dwight Gayle, a player who has scored four goals in three Premier League appearances against Liverpool, but he will have to undergo a late fitness test.

As far as the hosts are concerned, they will be boosted by the return of midfield schemer Coutinho following his absence from the starting lineup in Kazin.

Klopp revealed after the win in Russia that keeping the Brazilian on the bench was simply a precaution, so he is in contention to start against Palace, as are the well-rested trio of Adam Lallana, Martin Skrtel and Lucas Leiva.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Milner, Leiva, Can; Coutinho, Firmino; Benteke

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; Souare, Delaney, Dann, Ward; Cabaye, McCarthur; Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie; Bamford

Head To Head

Liverpool, who had won five and lost none of the first seven top-flight meetings between these sides, have now lost three and won just one of the last five.

That run includes the aforementioned 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park last year, which all but ended the Reds' hopes of winning the Premier League title for the first time ever.

Palace, looking for a first win in five games at the weekend, have also scored three goals in each of their last three encounters with the Merseyside outfit.

Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace

Palace have not been too convincing in recent weeks, losing three of their last four in all competitions, but they always provide a real threat when up against Liverpool. The Reds have certainly improved since Klopp's arrival, though, and their resurgence will continue with a narrow win on Sunday afternoon.