Martin King discusses Liverpool’s Monday Night Football fixture against Crystal Palace and denies any media-enforced belief that the Eagles are the Reds’ bogey side.
Liverpool will once again be given the task of closing up a Premier League gameweek when they travel to South London on Monday night to face Crystal Palace.
The pair faced each other at this very stage last season, in an Anfield clash that ended 1-0 to the Reds. Prior to that match, Palace and Liverpool had both made unpleasing starts to the 2017/18 season, losing to Huddersfield and drawing at Watford respectively, but they head into this latest battle on the back of opening day victories and no one wants to take an early dip.
Last Sunday, Liverpool began what they hope will be a glorious campaign in the best way possible; a 4-0 drubbing of West Ham United, comprising of brilliant individual performances across the pitch that were woven together to deliver a strong statement – we are Liverpool and we mean business.
Manager Jürgen Klopp spoke of his relief in knowing that his squad’s days of hard preparation in pre-season paid off, the fans would’ve grown in excitement, as would the experts be giving positive reviews on the German’s side but Klopp won’t be under any illusions about the significant challenge that awaits Liverpool. This is the first of many days when the Red’s title value will be tested.
Hoping to do that and more is a Crystal Palace side that impressed with a 2-0 win at newly-promoted Fulham.
The composed and clinical nature of their performance was the most pleasing aspect, as Fulham topped them in three key areas: possession, shots and passes. The Eagles’ ability to find success in the right moments while denying their opponents of the same is something they will want to see more of, as they aim for a season free of relegation trouble.
Team news
Liverpool boss Klopp could field an unchanged line-up on Monday night, as players of the team that was his first of the season last week are all fit, following eight days of preparation.
The Reds’ defensive ranks will be boosted by the return of centre-back Jöel Matip from a pre-season injury, while teammate Dejan Lovren will remain sidelined by a pelvis issue, the club reported on Sunday.
Palace, meanwhile, received some good news in the week before the game that top striker Wilfried Zaha signed a new long-term contract to ensure his stay at the club – the Ivorian will be looking for another goal after netting at Craven Cottage.
Manager Roy Hodgson will also have a complete squad to pick his team from, as his side are welcomed by their home support for the first time this season.
Prediction
Selhurst Park is easily considered a ‘bogey’ ground for Liverpool, though with wins in each of their last three Premier League visits, that is clearly a media enforced belief.
Be wary of pundits who still want to refer to the Reds’ dramatic 3-3 draw on the ground in 2014 as though it will negatively impact their performance. Liverpool’s team has been refreshed with so many new faces since then, that only three remain from that night, so don’t expect Klopp’s preparations for this game to be clouded by any Palace ‘nightmares’.
That said, the Merseysiders are well equipped to record their second win of the season from what should be, based on their opponents’ quality, a tough away encounter.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool
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