Liverpool go in search of their first three points of the Premier League season as they take on Crystal Palace on Monday night.
The game represents Liverpool’s first Anfield fixture of the season, and they’ll be desperate to put in a better display.
Last Saturday’s opener with Fulham couldn’t really have gone too much worse. Not only were Liverpool dire in a 2-2 draw, but Thiago Alcantara hobbled off with a hamstring injury.
To replace Thiago for Liverpool is no easy task. But someone’s going to have to do it. Either way, the performance has to be better or The Reds will be playing catch-up already. Here’s how we think Jurgen Klopp will line his team up.
Defence
No worries for Alisson Becker. The Brazilian looked a little rusty against Fulham, but so did a lot of his teammates. With 90 minutes under his belt, he should start to look more assured against Palace.
In-front of Alisson, there isn’t too many chances for Klopp to change things. That will mean Trent Alexander-Arnold continues at right-back, with Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk as the elite centre-back pairing.
Andy Robertson is a nailed-on starter given that Kostas Tsimikas is only just back in training after a lay-off.
Midfield
Here’s where the fun stuff is for Liverpool at the moment. Despite calls from fans for a new signing, Klopp is going to stick with what he’s got.
That means Fabinho will go again in the no.6 role that he has made his own at Anfield. Without his trusty partner Thiago, he will at least be able to count on Jordan Henderson, who should start on the left of the Brazilian.
Completing the trio is likely to be Harvey Elliott. Fresh from signing a new contract with the club, the 19-year-old, who has been called ‘outstanding’ by England U21 boss Lee Carsley, has a big opportunity to stamp his mark on the team early into the season.
Attack
Liverpool’s attack for the last two games has remained the same. But we expect that to change on Monday.
Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah should both reprise their roles, with the former perhaps looking to get more involved than he was at Fulham.
In the middle is where the change should come. After firing two blanks in his starts, Roberto Firmino should make way for Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan has netted from the bench in both those games, and should get his first taste of Anfield. Nothing less than three points will do here. Come on Liverpool.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Henderson; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
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