Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Premier League
Anfield
05/10/2013
15:00
Liverpool
host newly-promoted Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. Predictably, the reds
are clear favourites to secure three points, although you might be surprised to
hear the Londoners have won three of the last four meetings between the two
sides. The pair’s last clash came in October 2005, when Palace won two-one in
the League Cup at Selhurst Park. An equalising goal from Steven Gerrard proved
academic that day.
 |
| Victor
Moses will line up for Liverpool on Saturday, against the club that he started his career at: Crystal Palace. |
Since
that game, almost eight years ago exactly, there has been a whirlwind of change
at Anfield; Staff and owners have come and gone as the reds have yearned
desperately for a winning formula. But one person has remained present: our
leader, Steven Gerrard. Stuck on 98 Premier League goals, and without finding
the net in open play since February, the 33-year-old will be desperate to add
to his tally. I wouldn’t bet against him doing it at the weekend.
As
for the reds’ team as a whole, manager Brendan Rodgers will be eager to improve
their fluency on the pitch. Averaging 50.2% possession may seem okay for any
average side, but not one led by the Northern Irishman. Liverpool’s pass
success is also down at 81.2%: the reds’ are ranked 10th in the
league for both statistics I mentioned. As a result of their lack of ball
retention, Liverpool have subsequently conceded 15.3 shots per game in the
Premier League this season: the third worst record of all 20 teams and more
than their opponents this weekend, Crystal Palace. I’d expect the home side to
pick up in this area on Saturday, and also as key players like Philippe
Coutinho and Glen Johnson return from injury.
It’s
not all doom and gloom for the reds though – far from it; we of course sit
second in the league, having won four of our first six matches. It’s safe to
say, results have been better than performances, which in fact, makes a refreshing
change from our profligate nature in recent seasons.
Despite
selecting the same eleven for the last two games, Brendan Rodgers will be
forced into a change of personnel against Palace; after incredibly amassing
five yellow cards in just seven domestic games at the start of the season,
Lucas Leiva finds himself lumbered with the undesirable tag of being the first
player in the league to be handed a one-match ban for an accumulation of
bookings. Subsequently, Liverpool will field a different partnership in central
midfield for the first time in the league this season. The enforced change is
one which fans have been crying out for Brendan Rodgers to make voluntarily for
a while now, to give the reds more energy in the middle of the park, and I
happen to a agree. Hopefully the obligatory change at the weekend will open the
manager’s eyes and supply him with the same belief.
Ian
Holloway’s Crystal Palace travel to Anfield having failed to score a Premier
League goal in 270 minutes of football. Their only win this season came against
bottom-of-the-table Sunderland, and they have found the net just once in their
three away league matches so far in 2013/14. Despite these discouraging
statistics for The Eagles, they were unlucky to lose two-nil at Old Trafford
last month, after having central midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi sent off in the 44th
minute. The counter-attacking pace of Dwight Gayle was particularly menacing to
Manchester United’s high, attacking backline in that game, and Liverpool will
have to be focussed to distinguish the progressing 22-year-old’s threat on
Saturday.
Palace
are also particularly strong in the air, having won an impressive 59% of their
aerial duels in the league this season. Subsequently, they will likely target
set-pieces as a primary route of scoring, especially given Liverpool have been
victorious in just 44.6% of their aerial battles: the second worst record in
the Premier League.
My Line-up
Brendan Rodgers has deployed a three-four-one-two formation in the last two games, and I see no reason for change here; I like the attacking fluidity of the system and obviously its accommodation of both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge centrally, as a partnership, is a bonus.
Over the last few days, particularly on Twitter, a debate has developed as to whether Daniel Agger should return to the team after regaining full fitness, probably at the expense of Martin Skrtel. I've seen people suggesting that Skrtel should not be replaced due to his recent good performances and lack of mistakes. So, what does that mean: you are just waiting for an error from the Slovakian, to be granted an opportunity to drop him? What kind of management is that?
For me it is simple: Daniel Agger is a better footballer than Martin Skrtel, and now fit, so he should return to the side. Yes, Skrtel has defended well but his lack of imagination on the ball and tendency to pass backwards to Simon Mignolet will not suit us well at home to Crystal Palace. People often say a defender's primary duty is to defend well, but is it? In a game of this manner, and with an added centre-back present, I'm not sure.
In midfield, the suspension of Lucas should hand Jordan Henderson a central role alongside Steven Gerrard. The enforced change is something Reds' fans have been yearning for all season, myself included, and the seemingly everlasting energy of Henderson should give us more presence in the middle of the park.
Obviously, Henderson's shift to central midfield, frees up a spot at right-wing-back. Martin Kelly and Andre Wisdom are both solid options, but safety in this position is not what we'll need on Saturday. Our right-wing-back, with the insurance of three centre-backs behind, has to be a constant attacking presence; due to the three forward players being stationed centrally, it is vital he stretches Crystal Palace with runs down the flanks. Because of the attacking requirements of this role on Saturday, and the probable lack of defensive responsibilites for him, I'd go with Raheem Sterling.
Brendan Rodgers has deployed a three-four-one-two formation in the last two games, and I see no reason for change here; I like the attacking fluidity of the system and obviously its accommodation of both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge centrally, as a partnership, is a bonus.
Over the last few days, particularly on Twitter, a debate has developed as to whether Daniel Agger should return to the team after regaining full fitness, probably at the expense of Martin Skrtel. I've seen people suggesting that Skrtel should not be replaced due to his recent good performances and lack of mistakes. So, what does that mean: you are just waiting for an error from the Slovakian, to be granted an opportunity to drop him? What kind of management is that?
For me it is simple: Daniel Agger is a better footballer than Martin Skrtel, and now fit, so he should return to the side. Yes, Skrtel has defended well but his lack of imagination on the ball and tendency to pass backwards to Simon Mignolet will not suit us well at home to Crystal Palace. People often say a defender's primary duty is to defend well, but is it? In a game of this manner, and with an added centre-back present, I'm not sure.
In midfield, the suspension of Lucas should hand Jordan Henderson a central role alongside Steven Gerrard. The enforced change is something Reds' fans have been yearning for all season, myself included, and the seemingly everlasting energy of Henderson should give us more presence in the middle of the park.
Obviously, Henderson's shift to central midfield, frees up a spot at right-wing-back. Martin Kelly and Andre Wisdom are both solid options, but safety in this position is not what we'll need on Saturday. Our right-wing-back, with the insurance of three centre-backs behind, has to be a constant attacking presence; due to the three forward players being stationed centrally, it is vital he stretches Crystal Palace with runs down the flanks. Because of the attacking requirements of this role on Saturday, and the probable lack of defensive responsibilites for him, I'd go with Raheem Sterling.
View From the Other Side
Crystal Palace fan @christheeagle1 - "My thoughts on the game on Saturday are as follows. Palace are finding the division tough going. No surprise there, we were expecting that. The owners have decided that they are not going for broke, in the transfer market, therefore we have a squad that has a 'Championship feel' about it. Players with something to prove mostly, with Ollie hoping to get them playing to their max!
We have had a big change round in personnel which takes time to sort out. The premier league is an unforgiving place!
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| Crystal Palace's home: Selhurst Park. |
I have been impressed with Liverpool. The goal threat of Sturridge, of course the return of Suarez, and the addition of Moses, has given their attacking play some much needed fluidity. Our defensive set up is lacking pace, and in reality I can't see anything other that a win for Liverpool, by at least 2 goals. I would be pleasantly surprised if we scored a goal.
Still, football being football, anything is possible!! I'm still clinging on to the memories of our 4-3 semi final win in 1990 :))
All the best, Chris
Crystal Palace fan @TheEaglesBeak - "An away game at Anfield sends shivers down the spine of Palace fans. At least those that will remember that one fateful night. Even though we managed to get out revenge that same season with an FA Cup semi-final win, the previous result left a lasting effect.
Our form going into the game isn't great. One win in six games perhaps sounds worse than it actually is. Our last Premier League campaign we only had one point from the first six games and were narrowly relegated at the end of the season. Off the back of a loss at home to a quality Swansea side and last weekend an away defeat at Southampton, there is a view that things can only get better.
In truth, I don't expect anything out of this game. A narrow defeat wouldn't be unwelcome but we need to start getting points and with a home game against Fulham up after the visit to Anfield we need at least an improved performance. I feel that Chamakh has something to prove for us after all the negative press surrounding his antics last weekend but our defence is what needs to perform. It has yet to be confirmed whether Irish international Damien Delaney will be fit to return alongside Gabbidon in which is our only injury concern other than long term absentees. Jedi and KG ably supported by Kebe and Bannan are likely to populate the midfield with Gayle supporting Chamakh up front.
As for Liverpool, there is so much quality but perhaps our fear is with Gerrard supplying the likes of therecently returned Suarez and the bang in form Suarez. Hoepfully, they will be out of sorts and be kind to us. Having said that, Southampton got a result a couple of weeks back so who knows .... Prediction; Liverpool 3-1 Palace"
Visit @TheEaglesBeak's website: http://theeaglesbeak.com/
Visit @TheEaglesBeak's website: http://theeaglesbeak.com/
One to Watch
Mile Jedinak - The combative 29-year-old has impressed me most of any Palace player since their promotion to the Premier League. Jedinak has been ever-present in the league and he leads from the front. Well, from the middle literally, but you know what I mean. The Australian reads the game well and has a knack of breaking up opposing teams' moves so Liverpool will have to watch out for the imposing six-foot-two central midfielder.
Mile Jedinak - The combative 29-year-old has impressed me most of any Palace player since their promotion to the Premier League. Jedinak has been ever-present in the league and he leads from the front. Well, from the middle literally, but you know what I mean. The Australian reads the game well and has a knack of breaking up opposing teams' moves so Liverpool will have to watch out for the imposing six-foot-two central midfielder.
Liverpool‘s Last Six
WLLDWW
WLLDWW
Crystal Palace‘s Last Six
LLLWLL
Odds
Liverpool - 2/9
Draw - 6/1
Crystal Palace - 16/1
Liverpool - 2/9
Draw - 6/1
Crystal Palace - 16/1
My Prediction
Liverpool 3 - 0 Crystal Palace
Liverpool 3 - 0 Crystal Palace
TV
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