Crystal Palace's players warm up prior to the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield stadium, in Liverpool, north west England on August 15, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
We are drawing ever closer to tonight’s kick off at Anfield. Liverpool look to get on track after last week’s underwhelming draw. Crystal Palace makes the trip up from South London to help kick off our home schedule. This is the Reds’ home opener and Liverpool and their supporters will be looking for a fast start.
Kick off is at 8 PM BST and tonight’s game will wrap up Week 2 of the Premier League. Tonight marks 30 years to the day that the Premier League played its first ever matches. Liverpool would lose their opening Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, 1-0 the next day, August 16, 1992.
The Reds are looking for a different outcome than against Forest back in ‘92, as well as against Fulham last week. Palace are coming off a 2-0 loss to Arsenal last Friday and are looking for their first points of the young season. Liverpool have won 10-straight games against Crystal Palace and want to keep that streak going.
It looks as though Jürgen Klopp has heard our pleas and has given Darwin Núñez his first league start. He’s also given Nat Phillips his first start for Liverpool since 2019 at center back. James Milner and Harvey Elliott get the starts in the midfield.
Roberto Firmino is missing from the line up tonight. It is a precautionary measure according to the club. It’s good to see Naby Keïta and Kostas Tsimikas available off of the bench.
Starters: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips,Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Elliott, Salah, Núñez, Díaz
Substitutes: Adrian, Gomez, Keita, Tsimikas, Henderson, Carvalho, Clark, Bajcetic, Van Den Berg, Chambers
Starters: Guaita, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Eze, Doucouré, Schlupp, Zaha, Ayew
Substitutes: Johnstone, Milivojevic, Olise, Mateta, Hughes, Edouard, Ebiowei, Richards, Plange
The hope is that the line up tweaks that Jürgen Klopp has made since last Saturday’s match against Fulham will be enough. Crystal Palace will be looking for an upset, and they have been known to poach points from teams further up the table.
The feeling is that Liverpool will come out with a lot more focus than they did last week. I think that focus will be enough to see them through a tough test from Palace. The Eagles make it interesting but, I see the Reds holding on for a 3-2 home victory tonight.
Look for goals from some new faces. Sadio Mané had tortured Palace lately but, as we all know, he is no longer on Liverpool. Look for Núñez to get on the board, and I think maybe a goal from an unexpected source, maybe Harvey Elliott or Virgil van Dijk.
Arne Slot praised Florian Wirtz for scoring his first goal but warned that Liverpool's wins…
Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz scored within 90 seconds late in the first half, and…
Arne Slot has named his confirmed Liverpool starting XI to face Wolves. With eight players…
Arne Slot faces a major selection headache with eight players unavailable as Liverpool close out…
Record signing Alexander Isak is sidelined for months following surgery. Arne Slot reacts to the…
Arne Slot gave a "bittersweet" update following Liverpool's 2-1 win at Tottenham. While the boss…