Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: Team News, Preview, Live-Stream, TV Info
Liverpool will be out to continue their brilliant recent form on Saturday when they make the trip south to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Reds are level with league leaders Manchester City and Arsenal on points ahead of Week 10 of the Premier League season, with manager Jurgen Klopp galvanising his group of players to tremendous effect. A win here would be another mark of their encouraging recent progress.
Palace will pose a threat, though. Eagles boss Alan Pardew has a side packed with physical, dynamic and hardworking players, spearheaded by former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke. You can bet he’ll be doubly determined to impress against his old employers.
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Here are the key viewing details for the match and how both sides are shaping up ahead of this one.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 29
Time: 5:30 p.m. BST; 12:30 p.m. ET
TV Info: BT Sport (UK); NBC Sports (U.S.)
Team News
Crystal Palace: Pardew will be without long-term absentees Loic Remy and Pape Souare. Otherwise, he has a strong squad to choose from and one that is well-rested because Palace had no involvement in the EFL Cup in midweek. Star defender Scott Dann also looks poised to return.
Liverpool: Given the recoveries of Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum, Klopp has a fully fit group of players to pick from. The biggest decision the German coach faces is whether to use Daniel Sturridge from the start.
Likely Lineups
Crystal Palace: Steve Mandanda; Joel Ward, Damien Delaney, Scott Dann, Martin Kelly; James McArthur, Yohan Cabaye; Andros Townsend, Jason Puncheon, Wilfried Zaha; Christian Benteke.
Liverpool: Loris Karius; Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip, Dejan Lovren, James Milner; Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum; Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino.
Preview
For Liverpool, the start to the season has been superb. Klopp has an embarrassment of riches to pick from in the attacking third.
The Reds have been at their best with Firmino leading the line, giving the team fluidity in the final third. However, after scoring twice against Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, Sturridge may feel as though he’s done enough to start at Selhurst Park.
Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times feels as though Sturridge still has a lot to offer Liverpool:
However, the way the striker clings to the ball, his lack of work rate and dwindling defensive focus mean Klopp has often opted to leave him out of the side when everyone is fit and firing.
Liverpool have been so good going forward this term because they attack as a unit, while at times, Sturridge can often feel separate to the rest of the setup. When Firmino leads the line, his ability to find space, link play and shut down opposition defenders makes the Reds difficult to contain.
That selflessness brings out the best of his team-mates. Bleacher Report UK recent broke down the influence Mane and Coutinho—Liverpool’s standout attackers—have had in the final third so far this term:
Palace have plenty of attacking options themselves. In Benteke, they have a player who should be desperate to shine against his old club.
Klopp’s principles were never suited to the style that brings out the best in the Belgium international. But since he moved to Palace in the summer, Benteke has blossomed in a more direct setup, thriving off a constant stream of crosses into the box from the likes of Townsend and Zaha.
Per OptaJoe, the former Aston Villa man is a huge threat in the air:
Aerial power, particularly from set pieces, is something the Reds have struggled with so far this term, and Pardew will no doubt see these frailties as an area where his team can manufacture an edge. However, Liverpool’s quality, intensity and confidence will see them clinch another absorbing victory.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
