Match Focus: Profligate Palace Looking to Reign on Klopp's Parade
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Having secured back-to-back wins with a narrow victory in Russia on Thursday Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side complete their 5,000 mile round trip with a return to Anfield to host Crystal Palace. It’s not a fixture that will bring back fond memories for the Reds fans, with the Eagles having done the double over Brendan Rodgers’ men last season.
Indeed, Palace have scored 3 goals in each of their last 3 league meetings with Liverpool, though goals are hard to come by for Alan Pardew’s men at present. In fact, you have to go back to the first month of the season to find the Londoners’ last goal from open play, with that coming in the form of a late Joel Ward winner away at Chelsea. They’ll need an equally memorable performance on the road this weekend to ensure a repeat result.
Liverpool will want to make a strong start - scoring the opener in all four of their league meetings with Palace since their visitors returned to the top-flight - but more importantly given the recent record between the sides they will need to be strong for the entire 90 minutes. Fatigue from an exhausting trip on Thursday could yet play in to Palace’s hands, with Klopp demanding a great deal of energy from his players.
One man he will be hoping can really begin to make his mark at Anfield is Christian Benteke, who swung the game in Liverpool’s favour at Stamford Bridge last weekend. The big Belgian has been hampered by injuries since a move from Villa but still has 3 league goals to his name and scored against Palace last season. That said, if there is a defensive duo capable with dealing with Benteke’s aerial threat it is Dann and Delaney, so with a current run rate at £14.54 I’d be reluctant to trade in excess of £15 with Buabook this time around.
On the opposing side Palace are having real problems converting chances. The return of Connor Wickham and record of Dwight Gayle in this fixture - scoring 4 times in 3 appearances against the Reds - means one man may well have to make do with a place on the bench once more. Bakary Sako made a great start to life at the club but has seen his fair price plummet and is now likely to struggle for playing time. As a result, those that invested in the former Wolves man at Buabook should look to sell shares far as little as £2.50.
Form has gone out the window for Liverpool in the past against Palace, so it’s hard to predict whether Klopp’s side can win 3 games on the bounce after such a long trip in midweek. That said, they remain unbeaten under their new boss, who has bred new confidence in the team, which is something the away side have lacked in front of goal of late.
You can trade the values of any of the players on display as Liverpool host Palace with Buabook, the first player trading exchange based on detailed statistics
