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Discussing Liverpool's goalscoring problems this season and the the performances of strikers Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "Because Mario Balotelli isn't producing there will be doubts in the dressing room. Even from a work rate point of view you are not seeing him putting it in. If you're not getting the goals you need to give that. Patience runs thin at a club like Liverpool and you need to produce quickly. The other players like Adam Lallana and Lazar Makovic need time to deliver, but this is a huge game for Liverpool against Palace."

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower: "He's not even playing today and we are still talking about Mario! Rickie Lambert has been champing at the bit to play. It's clear he needs to start games, play regularly because he needs that sharpness and keep the fitness ticking over. It's difficult to judge him on 10 or 15 minutes here. I think Liverpool fans have to be realistic about when they will see the best out of him."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "If Mario doesn't produce, other players will resent him. Could Divock Origi come in January? They would need to renegotiate the deal in January with Lille and I understand that the player wants to come. With Daniel Sturridge out injured and Balotelli struggling they look like they need him."

Image source, @LFC

Liverpool on Twitter:, external Liverpool's players make their way into Selhurst Park for today's game against Palace

Martin Skrtel looking like a youthful Kojak there...

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Discussing the form of table-topping Chelsea, who defeated West Brom 2-0 on Saturday.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "Going forward on Saturday is as good as I have seen from Chelsea. It was an incredible performance from them."

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower: "They are loving their football, enjoying playing for their manager and with each other, they have consistency, power and defensive strength."

Tom in Sheffield: One of the first time I've looked at the Liverpool line up and felt satisfied this season, hopefully a fine chance for Lambert to show what he can do, especially with Lallana and Sterling behind him. Would love to see this line up get a run of games.

Kevin Keats in Bradford: Brendan Rogers is losing it. How Lovren, Johnson and Gerrard keep getting picked is beyond me. Can and Borini have to start.

Adam Matt in Leicester: What does Kolo Toure need to do to get a game? Shut out the world's best player? Why Rogers persists with Lovren I just don't know.

Mike Cheesman on Twitter:, external Couple of quick questions: Why is Can on the bench? Why is Johnson starting? What the dickens is Rodgers playing at?

Andy Parker: , externalGlad to see Lambert getting a chance today. About time the hungrier players got a chance ahead of Balotelli

Image source, PA

It would not be fair to leave you with just a head and shoulders shot of Mario Balotelli from last night though.

The Liverpool striker opted for pedal-pushing jeans, a denim shirt and a circulation-stopping waistcoat complete with pocket square as he watched Tony Bellew's win over Nathan Cleverly.

Nice.

There is just one fixture to tell you about in the Scottish Premiership today with Aberdeen at Patrick Thistle.

That match has just kicked off and you can follow all the action on our very own Scottish live text.

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Discussing the struggling teams at the bottom end of the table.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "When you are at the bottom and conceding goals as QPR are - that is going to bite you in the back. Burnley striker Danny Ings had been struggling with injury at the start of the season but he was on the mark again on Saturday. I saw him last year and thought he could go on to be a Premier League striker. Leicester boss Nigel Peraon is realistic, he knows there will be difficult periods for his team this season. The Foxes will be there and thereabouts in terms of the bottom three all season."

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower: "I would be surprised if QPR went on a run of three or four wins on the bounce. I don't think they are playing together as perhaps, for example, Newcastle - you wonder where the goals are coming from and they look like conceding all the time. Leicester were defending tightly at the start of the season and Leonardo Ulloa was scoring but the goals have dried up now. It would be different if they had somebody else chipping in with goals."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "I do not think QPR have been right for a while. They look like a team that have been in a slump for some time. Burnley boss Sean Dyche at the start of season showed his season a results map of Crystal Palace last season - said that like with Palace their start will be horrendous but stick with it, results will come. And they are starting to."

Image source, @MB459

One man who will not be involved at Selhurst Park today is Mario Balotelli. The striker picked up an injury while he was away with Italy and took the opportunity to take in last night's boxing during his enforced absence, posting a picture on Instagram, external of himself and former super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe.

What to make of those teams then?

Has Neil Warnock picked Dwight Gayle just to see the Liverpool defence shudder at the thought of what he did last year?

Will Raheem Sterling be pushed on in support of Rickie Lambert to bring a bit of pace to Liverpool's frontline?

Would Martin Kelly be more useful to Liverpool than the rumoured £1.5m they got for him in the summer?

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Discussing Newcastle's remarkable turnaround. They were bottom of the league on 22 September and are now fifth after a 1-0 win over QPR.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "In the League Cup at Manchester City, you thought it'd be a walkover, but manager Alan Pardew got them playing that night. They were also 2-0 down at Hull then Papiss Cisse comes on and scores twice - it changes the dynamics. They are in a comfortable position - they won't finish in the top four, but in the top half."

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower: "Pardew is getting the best out of the players. He's had to sell players again, but got striker Ayoze Perez for £1.5m and he's had to play him. Then Gabriel Obertan, who didn't get many chances last season, scored a crucial goal against Leicester and got the run going."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "They go on these big runs, circle the wagons and get to the top half of table, then lose games. He's had to assimilate new players. Once he's decided his selection then there's consistency. I've given up trying to predict Newcastle."

Image source, AFP

Crystal Palace include Dwight Gayle up front, with Fraizer Campbell dropping to the bench. Mile Jedinak also returns for the Eagles as James McArthur drops to the bench. Martin Kelly is in against his old club, replacing Adrian Mariappa.

Crystal Palace starting XI: Speroni, Kelly, Delaney, Dann, Ward, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolasie, Puncheon, Chamakh, Gayle.

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Discussing the performance of Arsenal's defence against Manchester United and the frailties of the Gunners' backline following their 2-1 loss to the Red Devils.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "The way Arsenal played, they needed to keep things defensively tighter. They were exposed at the back, particularly with Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal, they are individual mistakes. It's naivety and what you expect from young players. You wouldn't see that from a Chelsea back four."

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower: "Arsenal should have won that game, and we shouldn't be discussing this. You have to wonder how much say is coach Steve Bould having? Surely he can get his experience and opinion and across on the training ground? Chelsea have raised the bar for defence. Nobody seems to be up there, you look at Liverpool and Manchester City and they have frailties as well."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "Is the culture of the team right? Jack Wilshere is disciplined in performance for England against Scotland but he was all over the place against United. There isn't a culture at Arsenal where if they make a mistake they are pulled up on it. At Chelsea you know if you make a mistake you know Jose Mourinho will be straight on to you."

Liverpool have confirmed that Mario Balotelli and Jordan Henderson were left out because of a groin injury and illness respectively.

Never believe what you hear. Our rumour-mongers are a way out on Liverpool's line-up.

Liverpool include former Southampton pair Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert from the start. Raheem Sterling IS included, while Fabio Borini is left on the bench along with Emre Can and Lazar Markovic.

Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet, Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Gerrard, Allen, Lallana Coutinho, Sterling, Lambert

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Discussing Manchester United's 2-1 over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday - and how significant it might be for Louis van Gaal's team.

Former Republic of Ireland, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Kevin Kilbane: "It was backs to the wall and is a big result for them this season. Arsenal created numerous chances, and perhaps United were fortunate. But it was the manner of the result and they look in good shape for the rest of the season. United's young players are starting to put some of their more experienced big earners under pressure."

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower: "It was all about the result for United. If one of those two teams could get a result then it would give the players that belief. For United's young players it will help them kick on into December. United's young defence didn't buckle and for young players like Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett they will come back to Manchester full of pride. A year ago McNair couldn't get a game for their Under-21 side and he's come into the senior side and grown."

Sunday Times football correspondent Jonathan Northcroft: "Louis van Gaal said it wasn't his best performance but it was his best result. They were without three first-choice defenders, a couple of kids at the back and were under siege for the first 30 minutes. To get that result after the international break it felt like a big result. There are a few weakness in that United team but some strengths starting to emerge."

Image source, Getty Images

From Anna Thompson, BBC Sport at Wembley: "It's been pouring with rain all night and there are no signs of it abating so the Wembley turf is looking a bit sodden. Will be interesting how it holds up as England Women take on European Champions Germany in a historic match in front of a sell out 55,000 crowd."

Image source, EPA

Absolutely nothing confirmed as yet, but there are some rumours floating around as to Liverpool's starting line-up.

If the tittle-tattle is to be believed, Brendan Rodgers has gone with Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert in attack, left out Raheem Stering and included Adam Lallana alongside Steven Gerrard and Joe Allen in midfield.

We shall see...

MOTD2 Extra

Match of the Day Two Extra is go! You are just two clicks away from some of the finest football chat around.

First click: on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page. Second click: On Mark Chapman's cheery face.

Job done.

Tanay Apte:, external I'll take a 3-3 draw today just to see Liverpool start scoring again!

Nico Lennon:, external Hungover, weather is grim and the London transport system has ground to a halt. Battling through to watch Palace v Liverpool. Should be a cracker.

Chris Fleming:, external The battle for fourth place looks to be (near enough) between nine teams! I'm sure in a dozen games it'll be back to normal.