Liverpool are going well in their defence of the Premier League title after a great victory against Tottenham a couple of days ago. The Reds have done very well this season and steadily have been getting the injured players back in the squad with Thiago coming back to training. It will thus be intriguing to see how Klopp sets up his Liverpool at Selhurst Park against struggling Crystal Palace.
The Liverpool side still has a lot of injuries but are dealing with them like proper champions. But Crystal Palace is always a tricky game, especially at Selhurst Park with skilful players like Zaha and Eze who has been great since his arrival. The centre-back situation at Liverpool will still be a headache for Klopp despite the rise of Rhys Williams who has stepped up big time.
Let us now have a look at how Jurgen Klopp might set his Liverpool side against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
THE 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 has been the most effective system Jurgen Klopp has established at Liverpool in the past couple of years. Rhys Williams has made great progress and has stepped into the boots of Virgil Van Dijk, proving that he is surely one for the present and the future also. The rest of the defence look fine too with Fabinho bringing in his experience into play as he has done very well as the backbone of the defence.
The midfield trio of Henderson, Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones have done very well in the recent past and are likely to start again for the Reds. These three midfielders are very versatile and can attack and defend also when needed giving freedom to the front three of the side. Naby Keita or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain might also start as they have returned to complete fitness but might also be limited to cameo roles at Selhurst Park.
The attacking trio of Liverpool is very predictable as Klopp will go with Firmino, Mane and Salah who have been great since the last four seasons. Mane hasn’t been prolific in terms of scoring goals but he has been involved in the build-up play for the Reds. Mo Salah has been amongst the goals and will be keen to build on the great start to his season.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is the only other system Klopp has employed at Liverpool and has used it very well this season after the arrival of Jota. But the Portuguese forward will be out for a couple of months thus this system is less likely to feature. But Klopp could go with the likes of Salah on top and Minamino and Mane as the wide men, with Firmino playing in the No.10 role.
Wijnaldum and Henderson have done well in the double pivot and have evolved as distributors of the ball instead of passing it sideways only. Robertson and Alexander-Arnold are allowed to go up and down the flank in such a system with the security of the double pivot. Robertson is having a wonderful season and often doesn’t get the praise he deserves.
The game should be won by Liverpool but Palace are very unpredictable and can cause damage. The might become interesting but Klopp would rather want the game to be one-sided in favour of the Reds.
