Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace this weekend looking to keep up their excellent start to the season, and it’s live on talkSPORT.
Arne Slot‘s men have won all but one of their Premier League games so far this season.
Liverpool are looking on course for a title challengeGetty
However, after the international break, the Reds face a daunting fixture list which includes Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.
So, they’ll want three points to carry the momentum on.
Meanwhile, Palace have endured a shocking start to the campaign and pre-season hopes of a European challenge are evaporating.
The Eagles are yet to win a game in the league this season, and Oliver Glasner’s men are actually in a bit of trouble.
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Not so soaring Eagles
After Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson near the end of last season, Palace suddenly became one of the best teams in the league.
They thrashed Manchester United and Aston Villa, with Jean-Philippe Mateta finding the back of the net most weeks, while Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze were sensational.
However, Olise’s gone, and the rest of the team are struggling.
On paper, they haven’t faced the toughest sides either, so they need something to drastically change.
If things don’t change, Palace fans might have to start worrying about trips to Preston next season and not dreaming of European nights.
Defeat to Everton left Palace 18th
Crystal Palace have lost 11 of their last 14 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (W1 D2), though that sole victory was in their last such meeting at Anfield in April.
Each of Liverpool’s last four Premier League defeats against Crystal Palace have come at Anfield – they’re unbeaten in their last nine at Selhurst Park (W8 D1) since a 3-1 loss in November 2014.
Crystal Palace have conceded more Premier League goals against Liverpool than they have against any other opponent both overall (69) and at home (38). Indeed, the Reds are responsible for the Eagles’ two biggest home defeats in the competition’s history (6-1 in August 1994, 7-0 in December 2020).
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Date and how to follow
This Premier League game is set to take place on Saturday, October 5.
Kick-off at Selhurst Park is scheduled for 12:30pm.
talkSPORT will have live and EXCLUSIVE coverage from south London, with Reshmin Chowdhury serving as your presenter.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.
talkSPORT.com will also have the game covered on our dedicated Premier League blog.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
It’s been a dream start to Anfield life for SlotGetty
In 30 previous Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Liverpool, 14 have been won by the away side (47%). This is the highest away win ratio of any of the 109 fixtures to be played 30+ times in the competition’s history.
This is the fifth time in the Premier League that Crystal Palace are facing Liverpool with the Reds top of the table – the Eagles have lost each of the previous four by an aggregate score of 17-4, including a 7-0 home loss in the most recent such encounter (December 2020).
Crystal Palace remain winless in their six Premier League games so far this season (D3 L3). Only in 1992-93 (8), 1994-95 (7), 2004-05 (7) and 2017-18 (7) have they gone longer without a win from the start of a top-flight campaign, being relegated at the end of the first three of those.
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool – Team news and predicted line-ups
Heading into this game, the Eagles are without a few players, including three centre-backs.
Rob Holding has been excluded from the squad for an unknown reason, while Chadi Riad and Chris Richards are also both out.
Of course, Glasner has a few players who are nailed on to start.
Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Maxcence Lacroix, Adam Wharton, Tyrick Mitchell, Daniel Munoz and Eze will all be in the XI.
Jefferson Lerma should move into midfield, meaning Nathaniel Clyne could come into the back three.
Mateta should lead the line, with Eze on one side and Eddie Nketiah the other.
For Liverpool, Harvey Elliott is the only player who definitely won’t play any part.
Federico Chiesa missed the Reds’ 2-0 win over Bologna in midweek and is currently being assessed.
Even if he is passed fit, it’s unlikely he’ll start, while Diogo Jota is also expected to be fine after suffering a slight foot knock.
Slot’s team is becoming easy to predict, with Alisson Becker, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah almost certain to start.
The only real positions up for grabs are up front and on the left wing.
After starting in midweek, Luis Diaz could come out for Cody Gakpo, while Jota might replace Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool have won all three of their Premier League away games this season – only in 1990-91 and 2019-20 have they ever won their opening four away games in a league campaign.
Liverpool’s Arne Slot is looking to become just the fourth manager in Premier League history to win each of his first four away games in the competition after Felipe Scolari (first 8), John Gregory (5) and Bobby Gould (4).
Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 15 goals in his last 11 home games for Crystal Palace in all competitions, netting multiple goals in five of these 11 appearances (4 braces, 1 hat-trick).
Mohamed Salah has scored in all three of Liverpool’s Premier League away games so far this season. There have been nine previous occasions of a player scoring in his side’s first four on the road in a single campaign – the Egyptian could be the first player to do so twice (also in 2021-22).
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool – What has been said?
Gabby Agbonlahor believes that in Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool have one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Speaking to talkSPORT about the Dutchman, he said: “Apart from one game he’s been man of the match all season.
“He didn’t get much game time under Klopp but this season under Slot he has had a lot of game time.
“He’s got strength, he’s got aggression, he’s got pace, he’s got skill, he can run with the ball and he’s a unit.
“He’s got the size for set pieces as well if needed.
“An outstanding talent and shows just how strong Liverpool are in that department.”
