Key events
Patrick Vieira starts without a recognised centre-forward tonight. But he may soon have a new toy to play with.
Team news
Some interesting selections on both sides. Jurgen Klopp has left out Jordan Henderson, with Harvey Elliott and James Milner preferred in midfield. Nat Phillips, who played so many games in the 2020-21, starts at centre-back. Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate are injured, while Joe Gomez is only fit enough for the bench. And the record signing Darwin Nunez starts up front.
It looks like Patrick Vieira has switched to a back five, with Joel Ward replacing Odsonne Edouard. That’s the only change from the Palace team that lost to Arsenal ten days ago.
Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Substitutes: Adrian, Gomez, Tsimikas, Bajcetic, van den Berg, Keita, Henderson, Carvalho, Clark.
Crystal Palace (possible 5-4-1) Guaita; Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Ayew, Doucoure, Schlupp, Eze; Zaha.
Substitutes: Johnstone, Richards, Milivojevic, Olise, Hughes, Ebiowei, Plange, Mateta, Edouard.
Referee Paul Tierney.
Preamble
The fixture computer can be a sick twist all right. Crystal Palace, aiming to build on a fine first season under Patrick Vieira, have been given the toughest start of any team in the Premier League: an opening game against New Arsenal last week, then Liverpool tonight and Manchester City at the end of August. Sure they also have a winnable match at home to Villa on Saturday, but can we please not dwell on that. I’m trying to sell a narrative here!
Point is, nobody gives Palace much chance tonight. If you’re into the whole betting thing, you can get 16/1 on a Palace victory and 6/1 on a draw. Since they had the effrontery to win three consecutive games at Anfield between 2015-17, Palace have lost ten in a row, home and away, against Liverpool.
This fixture looked formidable even before Liverpool started the season with a sloppy, sluggish 2-2 draw at Fulham. A performance like that has consequences. The Liverpool players have had nine days of listening to the people who doubt their commitment to another season of heavy-metal football. The backlash begins at 8pm.
