Every fixture the Eagles face so far this season is stepping from one competition to another, as what has become a fractious relationship with Liverpool, takes another twist with a third game between the two sides this season and we are yet to reach November.
Since the battling draw against Bournemouth at Selhurst, it has been back to back defeats for Palace with the latest being a disappointing loss at the Emirates against the league leaders.
Many questions were asked by fans during and after the final whistle, but to be disappointed with such a narrow loss against a team that will likely go close if not take the title this season, perhaps says it all.
Much of the conversation has been about the lack of rotation, but you have to consider the fact that is why the club now sit with two trophies this year.
We know by now that Oliver Glasner prefers to play his strongest side. The view from the Austrian is that if a player is fit, why not play them? He went against his own thought process at home to AEK Larnaca, and we all know how that ended.
How do we know whether the fringe players are any good? Well, it is clear that they will have to play their way into the starting eleven whether that be taking advantage or injuries or suspensions. Perform on the training ground, and catch the eye, and you may force your way in.
Resting players never used to be a thing, but of course, teams in the current day face so many more fixtures particularly if a club is successful.
It is obviously a fine line and certainly a dilemma for Glasner and his coaching staff in terms of whether he will try to do so again.
While the Eagles are suffering from what looks to be a blip, the hosts are seeing warning signs with four leagues losses on the bounce. There were signs in the Champions League during those league defeats though, with a hammering of Eintracht Frankfurt away from home.
The reigning Premier League champions are suffering at the moment, and it is a head scratcher for Arne Slot. One that he needs to resolve quickly, but perhaps it is an opportunity for Palace to heap on the concern with a third victory out of three this season against the Reds.
With this being the League Cup, who knows how each manager will approach this game, but Glasner has proven that the less tinkering that is done, the more chance there is of picking up silverware. It will be interesting to see how his through process goes for this latest trip to Merseyside.
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🏟️ Match Context
- Competition: EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) – Fourth Round
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
- Broadcast: Live on Sky Sports Premier League (UK), streaming via Sky Go
🔥 Recent Form
Liverpool:
- Lost 5 of their last 6 matches across all competitions
- Just one win in that stretch
- Lost 3-2 to Brentford in their last Premier League outing
- Beat Southampton 2-1 in the previous Carabao Cup round
Crystal Palace:
- Winless in their last 4 matches
- Lost to Arsenal and AEK Larnaca recently
- Beat Millwall on penalties to reach this round
⚔️ Head-to-Head
- Total meetings: 68
- Liverpool wins: 37
- Palace wins: 17
- Draws: 14
- Palace are unbeaten in their last two against Liverpool this season:
- Community Shield: Palace won on penalties after a 2-2 draw
- Premier League: Palace won 2-1 at Selhurst Park
🧠 Key Storylines
- Liverpool’s crisis: Arne Slot’s side is struggling defensively, with only 2 clean sheets in 14 games.
- Palace’s confidence: Despite poor form, they’ve beaten Liverpool twice this season and will feel they have a psychological edge.
- Squad rotation: With big games against Real Madrid and Manchester City looming, Liverpool may not field their strongest XI.
🚑 Team News
Liverpool:
- Out: Alisson Becker, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni
- Doubtful: Alexander Isak, Ryan Gravenberch
- Key players: Dominik Szoboszlai (most consistent), Hugo Ekitike (6 goals this season)
Crystal Palace:
- Out: Caleb Kporha, Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure
- Key players: Marc Guehi (solid at the back), Jean-Philippe Mateta (6 goals this season)
📊 Predictions
- Standard Sport: Liverpool to win 2-1
- Khel Now: Liverpool to win 3-2
- Coral: Liverpool to win 2-0
- TEB: Palace to win on spot kicks
