Liverpool are next up against Crystal Palace in the Premier League with Jurgen Klopp’s men playing hosts to the Londoners at Anfield over the upcoming weekend.
The Reds enjoyed a rather narrow win over a formidable AC Milan outfit on Wednesday night in Champions League football as it all came down to skipper Jordan Henderson’s late strike to seal the three points in the group stage opener for Liverpool.
With Crystal Palace the visitors to Anfield next on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp will hope for his players to maintain their unbeaten run of form so far into this new season with Liverpool yet to taste a defeat in any of their outings since the 2021-22 campaign got underway.
Crystal Palace head into the forthcoming contest on the back of a shock win over Tottenham Hotspur last time around in a game that went the way of Patrick Vieira’s men resulting in a far than convincing 3-0 scoreline.
A brace from star striker Odsonne Edouard and Wilfried Zaha from the spot had secured the three points for Patrick Vieira and Co. agaist a toothless Spurs outfit who lost defender Japhet Tangana to a red card early on in the second-half.
The Eagles, however, are in for a stern test away from home in the Premier League with Liverpool looking solid on all fronts when Jurgen Klopp fields his first-choice XI out on the pitch.
Virgil van Dijk and Sadio Mane were dropped for the AC Milan fixture in a decision which raised quite a few eyebrows with their deputies Joe Gomez and Divock Origi failing to justify their inclusion onto the starting teamsheet for the Premier League heavyweights.
Klopp will be backed to issue a recall to both the former Southampton players for Saturday’s game at Anfield with Van Dijk key to Liverpool’s fortunes at the back while Mane, in spite of his recent lack of cutting edge in front of the goal, still one of the most feared attacking players in England’s top flight.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday 21 August
Time: 11:30 AM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Harvey Elliott is a long-term injury concern for Liverpool following his ankle injury against Leeds United last time around in league action.
It remains to be seen whether Klopp will deem fit Roberto Firmino for Saturday’s game at Anfield with the Brazilian having been sidelined for recent outings with an injury.
KEY BATTLE
Thiago Alcantara vs Conor Gallagher
Thiago will be looking to make a lasting impact on his boss Jurgen Klopp to cement his first-team berth as the Spain international midfielder showed promise in his outing at Elland Road with an assist to his name.
For the visitors it will be the Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher who has been in top form recently while in his time away from Stamford Bridge.
The 21-year-old will be a crucial cog in midfield for Palace and could prove to be a handful for the Liverpool defenders.
MATCH PREDICTION
Two goals, a clean sheet and a 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 important three points ✊
Last time we faced @CPFC ⏪⚽️ #LIVCRY pic.twitter.com/XplrtidUel
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 16, 2021
Liverpool are strong favourites for Saturday’s showdown on Merseyside against a high-flying Crystal Palace side who have their confidence levels on the up after a win over Spurs.
Liverpool 4-1 Crystal Palace
