Predicted Crystal Palace Lineup To Face Liverpool In The Premier League
Crystal Palace will face a big test in match-week 2 of the Premier League, when they travel to Anfield, to take on Liverpool, on Saturday.
The Eagles endured a poor start to life under new manager Frank de Boer, as they were thrashed 3-0 by Premier League newcomers Huddersfield Town at the Selhurst Park last weekend. And given the attacking prowess of Jurgen Klopp’s side, a similar result cannot be ruled out in the Merseyside come Sunday.
Team News
The biggest news for De Boer’s camp will be that star attacker Wilfried Zaha is set to miss out on four weeks of action due to a knee injury. He will join the likes of Bakary Sako, Connor Wickham and Papa Souare on the treatment tables.
Manager: Frank de Boer
Formation: 3-4-3
Wayne Hennessey (GK)
The Welsh stopper will need to be at the top of his game, if he is to deny the attacking talent at Liverpool’s disposal.
James Tomkins (CB)
The defender did not start the last game, but given how exposed the Palace defence was against the Terriers, adding some experience to the backline wouldn’t be the worst idea for De Boer.
Scott Dann (CB)
The 30-year old centre-half will occupy the central position among the three defenders at the back. Will need to keep Roberto Firmino under check.
Jairo Riedewald (CB)
The summer signing will take up the final spot in the defence, on the left-hand side of the three-man backline. Will be tasked with keeping Mohamed Salah under wraps.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (RM)
The Manchester United youngster started as a centre-back last time around, but given Joel Ward’s poor outing, we could see him move to the right wing-back role.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM)
Offered great drive and energy once he was shifted into the central midfield role against Huddersfield. Should be starting there on Saturday.
Luka Milivojevic (CM)
The Serbian will sit alongside Loftus-Cheek in the middle of the park to render some much-needed steel and solidity, meaning captain Jason Puncheon could miss out.
Patrick van Aanholt (LM)
The former Sunderland man was a threat down the left-hand side on occasions against Huddersfield. Should start again as the left wing-back.
Andros Townsend (RW)
With Wilfried Zaha confirmed to miss out, we could see the former Tottenham Hotspur man shifted higher up the pitch on the right-hand side of the attacking trident.
Christian Benteke (ST)
The big and burly Belgian will be intent on getting one over his former club and that should fire him up at Anfield.
Jeffrey Schlupp (LW)
The former Leicester City man has been used in a more advanced role in the past and without Zaha, we may see De Boer rely on him in an advanced role.