The Reds had a few nervy moments but managed to secure a 2-0 win over Bologna midweek, while the Eagles recently fell to Everton, making them the first team to lose to the Toffees this season.
Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, may not yet have the legendary status of Jurgen Klopp or Bill Shankly, but he’s already made history. With the win against Bologna, where Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah scored, Slot became the first Liverpool manager to win eight of his first nine matches across all competitions.
He acknowledged that the team faced challenges against Bologna, similar to their close 2-1 win over Wolverhampton last weekend, but the victories have propelled the Reds to the top of the league.
A win on Saturday would temporarily put them four points ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City. Slot’s side is on a five-game winning streak, scoring 15 goals averaging three per match.
Liverpool hasn’t started a Premier League season with four consecutive away wins since their title-winning campaign in 2019-20. If they win this weekend, Slot would join a select group of managers who have won their first four away matches in the Premier League.
On the other side, Crystal Palace, under manager Oliver Glasner, had a promising start last season but seem to be struggling this time around. Last weekend, they faced Everton in what looked like a chance to get their first points.
They started strong with a goal from Marc Guehi, but Dwight McNeil’s quick two goals turned the match around, leaving Palace still searching for a win.
Currently sitting in 18th place, just below Leicester on goal difference, Glasner’s job doesn’t appear to be at risk yet, thanks to his previous achievements and recent cup victories.
However, historically, the signs aren’t good for Palace; they’ve only failed to win their first seven league games four times before, and each time they were relegated last seen in 2004-05.
There is a glimmer of hope for Palace fans from their surprising 1-0 victory at Anfield last April. Still, it’s been nearly a decade since Liverpool last lost a Premier League match at Selhurst Park, with their last defeat there dating back to November 2014.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Good things came in threes for Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Wednesday night. Darwin Nunez returned from illness to lead the attack, and both Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson were fit enough to play in the Champions League victory.
However, Federico Chiesa missed the match due to an undisclosed issue and remains a doubt for the trip to Selhurst Park. Additionally, Harvey Elliott’s foot fracture won’t heal until after the international break.
Mohamed Salah is also in the spotlight as he looks to make history again this Saturday. After becoming the first Liverpool player to score in five consecutive Champions League home games, he could become the first player in Premier League history to score in a team’s first four away matches of a season in two different campaigns.
For Crystal Palace, the injury list includes Chadi Riad (knee), Christopher Richards (thigh), and Cheick Doucoure (toe). Former Arsenal defender Rob Holding is also sidelined after reportedly having a fallout with manager Oliver Glasner.
The only potential reinforcement for Palace this week is Matheus Franca, who is nearing a return from a broken rib but is likely to start on the bench, alongside ex-Liverpool player Nathaniel Clyne.
Trevoh Chalobah was an unused substitute in the loss to Everton and could finally see some action in a Palace shirt this weekend, while Ismaila Sarr might push for a starting spot over Eddie Nketiah.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Lerma, Guehi, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Nketiah, Mateta, Eze
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
EXPERT PREDICTION
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool[/SPOILER]
While Palace can sometimes surprise at Anfield, they rarely manage to outsmart Liverpool at home. In fact, they've conceded 38 goals to the Reds at their own ground, the highest number against any single opponent in the Premier League.
That number is likely to rise to 40 on Saturday. Even if Slot's squad shows signs of fatigue, the Dutchman has plenty of capable options to rotate his team. By the final whistle, he’ll probably be celebrating a four-point lead at the top of the table.
While Palace can sometimes surprise at Anfield, they rarely manage to outsmart Liverpool at home. In fact, they've conceded 38 goals to the Reds at their own ground, the highest number against any single opponent in the Premier League.
That number is likely to rise to 40 on Saturday. Even if Slot's squad shows signs of fatigue, the Dutchman has plenty of capable options to rotate his team. By the final whistle, he’ll probably be celebrating a four-point lead at the top of the table.
