Liverpool continue their march under new manager Arne Slot with a blistering start to the Premier League season. Slot’s side sits atop the table, having secured five wins from their opening six matches. As they gear up to face Crystal Palace this weekend, they can extend their lead over title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal, at least temporarily, with another three points. For Palace, it’s been a tough start under Oliver Glasner, and they’ll be desperate to turn things around.
Kick-off Time and Venue
The fixture is scheduled for a 12:30 pm BST kick-off on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Selhurst Park in south London will be the venue for what promises to be an intriguing clash. Liverpool fans will be eager to see whether their side can continue their early-season dominance, while Palace supporters will be hoping for an upset on home turf.
Where to Watch Crystal Palace vs Liverpool
In the UK, TNT Sports 1 will broadcast the match live, with pre-game coverage starting from 11 am. For those looking to catch the action online, subscribers can access a live stream through the Discovery+ app or website. Of course, fans can also follow every key moment via Standard Sport’s live blog, which will provide minute-by-minute updates on matchday.
Team News: Injury Concerns and Updates
Crystal Palace have their fair share of injury problems ahead of this contest. Key players such as Chadi Riad, Chris Richards, Cheick Doucoure, and Rob Holding are all set to miss out. The good news is that Matheus Franca is edging closer to a return after a lengthy absence, though this weekend may come too soon for him.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have fewer concerns. Harvey Elliott remains out of action with a foot injury, while Federico Chiesa’s availability remains uncertain as he missed the midweek clash against Bologna. However, there are positives for the Reds as Andy Robertson and Darwin Nunez both returned to the starting XI after minor issues, and Diogo Jota came off the bench following a recent knock. Slot will have a near full-strength squad to choose from, something that could prove decisive.
Prediction: Liverpool to Continue Their Winning Ways
Liverpool head into this match brimming with confidence. Aside from a surprise defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, they’ve looked every bit like title contenders under Slot. The Dutch manager, despite a quiet transfer window, has built on the foundations left by Jurgen Klopp, instilling a sense of continuity and cohesion that has served the team well. His system has clicked into place, and Liverpool are firing on all cylinders.
For Palace, however, the season has been anything but smooth. After an encouraging end to last season under Glasner, expectations were high for his first full campaign in charge. Yet, the Eagles remain winless, having drawn three and lost three. Last weekend’s capitulation to Everton, who staged a late comeback, will have further dented their confidence. Glasner’s side has struggled to find consistency and resilience, two qualities they’ll need in abundance against a rampant Liverpool.
Looking at the form and quality on both sides, it’s hard to see anything other than an away victory for Liverpool. Palace may take heart from their shock win at Anfield in April, but those heroics feel a long way away now. All signs point to another Liverpool triumph.
Head-to-Head: Past Encounters
Liverpool and Crystal Palace have shared an intense rivalry over the years, but the Reds have dominated recent encounters. Despite Palace’s upset win at Anfield earlier this year, Liverpool had won 12 of their previous 14 meetings. Last December’s clash at Selhurst Park saw Palace take the lead, only to suffer a 2-1 defeat despite Liverpool being down to 10 men.
Palace will be hoping to channel the spirit of April, where an early Eberechi Eze goal condemned Liverpool to a shock defeat. However, given their current form and injury woes, a repeat seems unlikely.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
Liverpool are flying, while Palace are floundering, and it seems unlikely that Glasner’s men will find their first win of the season against this opposition. Slot’s Liverpool have picked up from where Klopp left off, and despite a relatively quiet transfer window, the Dutch manager has them playing fluid, attacking football that looks unstoppable at the moment.
For Palace, the season is still young, and there’s time to turn things around. But if they are to avoid another defeat, Glasner must find a way to inspire his players and tighten up defensively. Even if they manage to frustrate Liverpool for periods of the game, it’s hard to see how they’ll create enough chances to outscore this free-flowing Reds side.
