In their first Monday night fixture against The Reds since ‘Crystanbul’, Palace will be looking to build on an impressive triumph against Fulham last time out.
Optimism will be flowing through the veins of those at Palace and Liverpool, they come face-to-face on the back of an impressive opening weekend as Palace took home all three points from Craven Cottage, Liverpool hammered a lacklustre West Ham United. We take a look at the two sides as they prepare for their face-off under the Selhurst Park lights.
Crystal Palace
After extending his stay at his boyhood club until 2023, should Wilfried Zaha find the back of the net, he will become Palace’s record Premier League goal-scorer; a title he currently shares with Chris Armstrong.
Fitness is of no concern to Palace boss Roy Hodgson, as he revealed in his pre-Liverpool press conference that he has a full squad to choose from. Despite the summer arrivals of Vincente Guaita, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Max Meyer and Jordan Ayew, the 71-year-old is expected to stick with his winning team from last weekend.
Even with an impeccable second half, it really was an impotent midfield showing for the Eagles, leading some to suggest that new-boy Kouyaté should make his full debut for the club when Liverpool visit on Monday night. A more defensive setup certainly would not harm the home side, as Jürgen Klopp’s potent attack looks more threatening than ever.
Germany international Max Meyer is not expected to be match-ready, having not played since April after the expiration of his contract at Shalke 04.
Predicted line-up: Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka; Tomkins; Sakho; van Aanholt; Townsend; Milivojević; McArthur; Schlupp; Benteke; Zaha
Liverpool
Sadio Mané was at the double as his side saw out an emphatic win over a new-look West Ham. A series of eye-catching performances – new recruit Naby Keïta earning most of the plaudits – should see Klopp select a familiar team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was below par, however he is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up. Joe Gomez formed a formidable partnership with Virgil van Dijk, which should keep Joel Matip out of the side despite his return to training after recovering from a hip injury. Fabinho is in line to make his Premier League debut after missing out last weekend.
Predicted line-up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold; van Dijk; Gomez; Robertson; Fabinho; Keïta; Milner; Salah; Firmino; Mané
TEAM NEWS (courtesy of Physio Room)
CRYSTAL PALACE – New signings Jordan Ayew and Max Meyer are to face late fitnes tests while Jonny Williams (hamstring) and Connor Wickham (groin) are major doubts. Scott Dann (knee) continues to miss out.
LIVERPOOL – Simon Mignolet (fitness) is a slight doubt while Joel Matip (hip) will face a late fitness test. Dejan Lovren (pelvis) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee) both miss out.
ACTION REPLAY
The last time these two sides met was back in March at Selhurst Park, where the hosts had the audacity to take the lead courtesy of Luka Milivojević from the penalty spot. That goal gave the Eagles a half time lead but Liverpool hit back straight after the break through Sadio Mané. Just when the home fans thought their side had done enough to earn a point, Mohamed Salah stepped up to slot home late in the game.
Who Scored man of the match – Mohamed Salah (8.3)
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 31/03/2018 Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
- 19/08/2017 Liverpool 1-0 Crystal Palace
- 19/07/2017 Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
- 23/04/2017 Liverpool 1-2 Crystal Palace
- 29/10/2016 Crystal Palace 2-4 Liverpool
Last result for Palace;
- 11/08/2018 Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace
Last result for Liverpool;
- 12/08/2018 Liverpool 4-0 West Ham United
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Sadio Mané 8.89
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8.63
- Wayne Hennessey 8.57
- James Milner 8.10
ONE TO WATCH
NABY KEITA
Former clubs – Horoya, FC Istres, RB Salzburg, RB Leipzig
The Liverpool number eight was well sought after long before the summer but it was the Reds that sealed his signature by triggering the £48million release clause.
Born in Conakry, Guinea, Keita began his career with local side Horoya before moving on to French club FC Istres in 2012. After just a hand full of appearances, Red Bull Salzburg came calling in 2014 where his performances earned him a move to sister club Red Bull Leipzig in 2016 who had just achieved promotion to the Bundesliga.
To date, Keita has almost thirty international caps for Guinea after making his debut against Mali in 2013.
PREDICTION
Palace will surely be well drilled and will rise to the challenge of containing an attacking Liverpool side with blistering pace and flair. James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho will look to extend their unbeaten partnership at the back, however Liverpool’s front three will be just too much for Hodgson’s men to handle. Liverpool to win 2-1.
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 6/1
- Draw 7/2
- Away 2/5
- Both teams to score 8/11
Find out what Liverpool fan Oliver Emmerson told TEB about the season ahead for the Reds and views on Palace ‘The View From The Opposition’
