Liverpool play hosts to Crystal Palace in Monday’s Anfield showdown with the Reds eyeing a return to winning ways against the Eagles after a disappointing Premier League opener for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The league’s new boys Fulham held last season’s runners-up Liverpool to a frustrating 2-2 stalemate with the Craven Cottage outfit putting out an inspiring showing compared to Liverpool’s drop in energy every now and then.
Patrick Vieira’s side emerged second best to Arsenal in a 2-0 defeat on opening day as they gear up for an equally challenging outing on Merseyside in their next fixture.
Liverpool’s frailties at the back were exposed in the stalemate against Fulham with the first goal for Marco Silva’s side the result of frontman Mitrovic towering above Trent Alexander-Arnold to head home his side in the lead.
To make matters worse for the Merseyside giants was an injury setback for Thiago Alcantara who limped off the pitch with a hamstring issue and looks set for a brief spell on the sidelines which complicates the midfield selection for the Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp.
The pressure on Klopp to dip into the transfer market for a new midfield signing will increase again now but the German is likely to remain reluctant on bringing in a fresh face this late in the transfer window.
Playing at Anfield in recent times has always been comforting for Liverpool who have not lost a Premier League game at Anfield in the last 17 months and will hope to continue upon the same when they welcome Palace.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Monday 15 August 2022
Time: 3 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Thiago could be sidelined for up to six weeks with the hamstring issue he picked up at Craven Cottage and it means a more complicated selection of the midfield berths for Jurgen Klopp.
Joel Matip is a doubt for the upcoming game after missing training with a groin injury ahead and it could open the door for Joe Gomez to partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre-back role with Ibrahima Konate also on the recovery table list at Anfield.
Liverpool’s new boy Darwin Nunez could be handed his first starting team sheet berth with the 23-year-old likely to replace Roberto Firmino in the attacking third after the latter’s unimpressive display last time around.
KEY BATTLE
Darwin Nunez vs Wilfried Zaha
Nunez has adapted well to life on Merseyside following his big-money move from Benfica in the summer and with the Uruguayan forward tipped to lead the line for Liverpool against Palace, expectations will be that he delivers the goals for his side.
For Palace, Wilfried Zaha’s future at the club hangs in the balance amid speculation of Chelsea being keen to move in for the Ivorian winger but the Palace boss Patrick Vieira will be hopeful for his talisman to get the job done.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool are the strong favorites to clinch the win from the upcoming home outing and we predict that Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will claim the three points up for grabs.
Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace
