Crystal Palace is set to face Liverpool this weekend at Selhurst Park, with both teams having very different objectives as the international break looms. Liverpool, currently sitting at the top of the Premier League, is looking to secure their position and extend their lead over rivals Arsenal and Manchester City. On the other hand, Palace, who have struggled this season and find themselves in the relegation zone, are desperate for a positive result to break their poor run of form.
The game is of particular importance to both sides, and both head coaches—Arne Slot for Liverpool and Oliver Glasner for Palace—are feeling the pressure. Slot, in his debut season with Liverpool, is concerned about the tight turnaround after Liverpool’s midweek Champions League match. Having defeated Bologna 2-0 on Wednesday, Slot’s team now faces a quick turnaround to prepare for the Premier League’s early kick-off. This short recovery time is not ideal for any manager, particularly when facing a side like Crystal Palace, who have had a full week to prepare for this clash.
Oliver Glasner’s Palace side has endured a tough start to the campaign, continuing a dip in form that began toward the end of last season. Despite having some standout players such as Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah in advanced roles, and the consistent presence of Tyreek Mitchell and Daniel Munoz in wing-back positions, Palace has struggled to find a winning formula. The team is without five key players, putting Glasner in a tough spot as he decides how to approach the game against one of the league’s top sides.
Liverpool’s tactical setup under Arne Slot has been a subject of interest. Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp over the summer, has made some tactical adjustments to the team while maintaining the high-energy, pressing game that Klopp popularized. However, the demands of playing in multiple competitions, including the Champions League, have been evident in the team’s fixture schedule. Slot has expressed concerns about the difficulty of managing his squad’s fitness levels, especially when playing a high-intensity game just a few days after a European clash.
Liverpool’s lineup for the Palace game is expected to feature some rotation, given the need to manage player workloads. Key players like Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister, who have been instrumental in their recent performances, are likely to start, but the squad depth could see players like Cody Gakpo or Diogo Jota stepping in to freshen up the attacking options. Slot’s press conference comments suggest that Liverpool will approach the Palace game with respect, acknowledging that despite their lowly league position, Palace has shown they can be a tough opponent, especially against bigger sides like Manchester United and Chelsea.
Slot’s pragmatic approach to Liverpool’s schedule is understandable. In his pre-match press conference, he stated: “You always look at the first one and that’s Crystal Palace. I think they already showed how tough of an opponent they are against the big teams, like [Manchester] United and Chelsea. In both situations, they got a result.”
This highlights the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, where teams like Palace can pose a significant challenge despite their current struggles. Palace has often been a bogey team for Liverpool in the past, with their infamous 3-3 draw during the 2013-14 season derailing Liverpool’s title challenge. However, Liverpool has been dominant against Palace in recent years, particularly under Klopp, and have not lost on the road at Selhurst Park since 2014.
One of Palace’s biggest issues this season has been their inconsistency in defense. Despite boasting a solid back three with Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, and Jefferson Lerma, the team has conceded crucial goals at key moments. Their midfield, led by Dean Henderson in goal and Adam Wharton in a deep-lying midfield role, has been sturdy but lacks the dynamism needed to compete against the top sides. The question remains whether Glasner will opt for a more defensive setup, potentially starting Will Hughes in midfield, or continue with Daichi Kamada, who offers more creativity going forward.
On the other side, Liverpool’s defensive concerns may lie with their ability to cope with fatigue. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté will likely start in central defense, but the demands placed on the full-backs, particularly Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, are significant, given how much they contribute to Liverpool’s attacking play. Alexander-Arnold has been crucial in Liverpool’s buildup play, often drifting into central areas to act as a playmaker, but the heavy fixture schedule may force Slot to rotate or at least manage his minutes carefully.
In attack, much of Liverpool’s hopes will rest on the form of Salah, who has been in excellent form so far this season. His ability to find the back of the net and create chances will be critical in breaking down a Palace side that is likely to sit deep and look to counter. With Nketiah and Eze leading Palace’s attacking line, the home side will likely aim to exploit Liverpool’s defensive transitions, especially if the full-backs are caught high up the pitch.
Glasner, though, will be hoping for more from Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has been inconsistent this season. The French striker will need to hold up the ball effectively and provide an outlet for Palace’s midfield and wing-backs to get forward. Mateta’s physicality could pose problems for Liverpool’s backline, particularly if Palace can exploit set-piece situations, an area where Liverpool has sometimes shown vulnerability.
Despite the challenges posed by a congested schedule, Liverpool is expected to control possession and press high up the pitch, as has been their style under both Klopp and now Slot. Palace, by contrast, will likely sit deep, absorb pressure, and look to break quickly through their pacey wide players. The dynamic between these two tactical setups will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
Ultimately, while Palace will be looking for a much-needed win, Liverpool’s quality and depth make them clear favorites. However, the Premier League is known for its unpredictability, and with the added factor of fatigue from Liverpool’s midweek Champions League game, Palace could spring a surprise if they play with intensity and capitalize on any lapses in concentration from the visitors.
For Liverpool, maintaining momentum is key as they aim to go into the international break on top of the league, four points clear of their nearest challengers. For Palace, a positive result could lift them out of the relegation zone and restore some much-needed confidence in a season that has so far failed to get off the ground. The stakes are high for both sides, and with so much to play for, Saturday’s game promises to be an intriguing and hard-fought contest.
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