Fixture: Liverpool FC v Crystal Palace FC
Home Team: Liverpool FC
Away Team: Crystal Palace Football Club
Stadium: Anfield
Match Date: 18th September
Kick-Off: 1500 BST
When we compare the head-to-head record between these two teams, Liverpool clearly holds the advantage. Out of 18 games, they have won 13, lost four and drawn just the one.
Liverpool FC News
I am expecting Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy to continue. We could see Takumi Minamino starting this game while Sadio Mané should get his starting spot back.
Mané has the chance to put his name in the record books by becoming the first player to score in nine consecutive games against Crystal Palace.
Virgil van Dijk who was allowed to put his feet up and get a rest during the 3-2 win against AC Milan in the midweek Champions League game is excepted to be back in the the starting line-up.
Liverpool will be without Roberto Frimino, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams. Divock Origi who suffered a cramp in the game against AC Milan might be rested too.
Fabinho has been in the form of his life. He has been putting in shifts like never before. Supporters can expect him to put in another masterclass.
When he plays to his potential, Liverpool seldom lose. With his ability to put in a timely tackle as well as hold the ball well, he gives Liverpool’s creative players that half a second more which allows them to do their magic.
Liverpool have taken 120+ shots in the first five games of the season. That averages to about 24 shots per game. To be honest, the forward line has not taken their chances, but soon Liverpool will be battering a side.
In the defensive side of things, Joel Matip could get a rest which would see Joe Gomez start his first Premier League game of the season.
Crystal Palace News
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira will be without the services of Jeffrey Schlupp, Nathan Ferguson and Eberechi Eze who are all out injured. However, the rest of the squad will be on a high after putting three past Tottenham Hotspurs last weekend.
We could see Jordan Ayew being dropped for Michael Olise who managed to do more in five minutes than 86 odd minutes played by Ayew.
The Liverpool defence will have to be wary about Odsonne Edouard. He has been in great form and is expected to bench Christian Benteke. Edouard has been in great form scoring two goals on his debut last weekend.
All in all, Palace will have to play out of their skin and hope for luck to favour them if they want to come out with anything from this game.
In Conclusion
Liverpool at Anfield is something that will be too difficult for Crystal Palace to overcome. What’s more is that a win will be very important for Liverpool to stay in the top four for another week.
Liverpool Expected Starting XI: Alisson; TAA, Van Dijk, Gomez, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Keita; Mane, Minamino, Salah.
Score prediction: 0-4
Scorer prediction: 2x for Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Takumi Minamino
M.o.M prediction: Mané
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