Following a convincing win against newly promoted Fulham, Crystal Palace will take on a Liverpool side who score the most number of goals in game-week one.
The visitors smashed four past a hapless West Ham United side with Sadio Mane scoring a brace. Jürgen Klopp’s men will be keen on impressive again and keep up with defending champions Manchester City, who registered a thumping 6-1 win over Huddersfield Town earlier today.
Palace will be without the services of Scott Dann whose crucial ligament rupture at the end of last year is still keeping him out on the sidelines. Connor Wickham and Jonathan Williams are also unlikely to feature due to lack of fitness.
Max Meyer isn’t match-fit yet and playing him against a Liverpool side who like to press could be a bad mistake. We could, however, see the former Schalke superstar come on for a few minutes late in the game as Hodgson will want to slowly integrate the diminutive midfielder into his setup.
Defence
Head coach Roy Hodgson opted for Wayne Hennessey ahead of new summer signing Vicente Guaita in goal and the move paid off as the Welshman made six saves to preserve a well-deserved clean sheet. We expect him to retain his place in between the sticks.
Not a lot of changes are expected at the back with James Tomkins and former Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho expected to start as the two centre-halves.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka starred in the win over Fulham with four tackles, two dribbles and an assist and he could be deployed as the right-back. Patrick van Aanholt is expected to take his place as the left-back.
Midfield
Luka Milivojevic picked up from where he left off last season as he produced another solid display against the Cottagers last weekend. He will once again be a crucial figure at the base of Palace’s 4-4-2 formation. Cheikhou Kouyate is likely to partner Milivojevic in central midfield.
The former West Ham star is expected to replace James McArthur in midfield. His defensive prowess could be a key factor against a free-flowing Liverpool attack.
Elsewhere, the duo of Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend could be deployed as the wingers. With Mane and Salah expected to start for Liverpool, the two Palace wingers will have to provide their fullbacks with a bit of protection.
Attack
The Palace attack will be led by the duo of Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke. Zaha, in particular, will be the threat as he has the ability to drop deep and use his pace on the break.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
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