For the first time in the 2024/25 Premier League season, Crystal Palace face-off against Liverpool looking to secure a big scalp.
Arne Slot’s Reds will make the long trip to Crystal Palace with three points firmly on their minds as they navigate a new era.
The last time Liverpool were at Selhurst Park. Harvey Elliot’s 91st-minute goal completed a comeback victory over 10-man Palace. Oliver Glasner’s men exerted sweet revenge in the reverse fixture as a goal from Eberechi Eze stunned the Anfield faithful, whose league and Europa League hopes crashed within a matter of days.
The past season started with Roy Hodgson who saved them from relegation with an 11th-placed finish in 2022/23, and had his contract extended by a year. They were making another appointment as soon as the veteran manager hit a snag as Oliver Glasner took over in February 2024.
Under the Austrian, Palace enjoyed a strong finish to the season as they equalled their highest Premier League position of tenth place and a points total of 49. Indeed, only Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea earned more points than Palace since Glasner took charge of the club.
They were in such good form that four Palace players – Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton – were named in England’s Euro 2024 squad, the most of any club for the Three Lions in Germany.
Glasner will thus be keen to build on his fantastic first few months in London but could have to deal with losing a few key players as Michael Olise has already left for Bayern Munich and he could be joined on the exits by Guehi and Eze who are both courting serious interest.
Meanwhile, Palace have already completed the signing of Chadi Riad from Real Betis and Daichi Kamada on a free transfer from Lazio. They will be looking to add some more to their squad to truly evolve as a resilient force under their manager.
At Liverpool, the drums of change are beating loudly following Jurgen Klopp’s exit. A legendary spell which lasted over eight years included Premier League and Champions League triumphs, and a new chapter has now begun under Arne Slot.
To ease the Dutchman into his new role, Fenway Sports Group has brought back Michael Edwards to lead their football operations as Julian Ward also returns. Pedro Marques is in as director of football development and Hans Leitart is head of goalkeeping.
Richard Hughes has been appointed as the club’s new sporting director and he will be assisted by their former loans and pathways manager David Woodfine. This whole structure will seek to ensure that the team is on the best path to succeed under the new boss.
The current team is not far off a top side as they pushed for the Premier League title well into April until Klopp’s ageing stars tailed off. Yet, they sealed a third-place finish and their triumph in the Carabao Cup final demonstrated the quality of the young talent within their ranks.
Liverpool will be keen to maintain similar levels this term and they must grab the initiative once their league campaign kicks-off against Ipswich Town.
Match tickets
This Premier League fixture takes place on Saturday, 5 October 2024 with kick-off scheduled for 3 PM UK time. Match tickets are available for sale on each club’s website but note that season ticket holders and club members will be given priority consideration.
Although it is one of the smallest stadiums in the top flight, Selhurst Park will be loud and proud on this occasion, especially as it is Liverpool coming to town. The 25000-capacity arena will be sold out quickly so ensure to cop your tickets well ahead of time.
Travelling fans who are yet to get theirs can find Crystal Palace vs Liverpool tickets on a ticket resale site.
Team news
Crystal Palace are set to be active in the transfer window considering the likely exits, and they are poised to launch a £35million bid for Emile Smith Rowe who is in the midst of a transfer tussle involving Fulham. The Eagles view him as an ideal replacement for Olise, with Smith Rowe’s desire for regular first-team football being a key factor.
Crystal Palace are also eyeing a move for Ismaila Sarr after a season at Marseille, the Senegalese winger offers bags of Premier League experience and he will represent a quality addition to the ranks.
Liverpool will also be busy right into the final weeks of the market after club stalwarts such as Adrian, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Calvin Ramsay all departed this summer, so replacements are expected. Additionally, the futures of Mohammed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are up in the air as their contracts expire next summer.
While the club is working on sorting the deals, some quality acquisitions have been mooted as they need attacking reinforcements especially if Luis Diaz were to leave. Eberechi Eze is a target for the forward positions should the need arise.
The midfield is also in need of bolstering after Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister shared duties in the holding role last season. Free agent Adrien Rabiot is being considered while Liverpool has reportedly held talks with Atalanta’s Ederson.
Line-ups
There were 13 goals and an assist in 13 games under Glasner for Jean-Philippe Mateta who emerged as the team’s marksman. The Frenchman’s 16 goals proved his career-best top-flight tally so there is a lot to look forward to from the 27-year-old this term.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi; Munoz, Richards, Wharton, Mitchell; Kamada, Smith Rowe, Mateta
Arne Slot is expected to adopt his preferred 4-2-3-1 system with a dynamic attacking setup and lots of ball retention. Given the quality their hosts possess on and off the ball, the manager will opt for his sharpest team available.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Ederson, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
Prediction
Jurgen Klopp won 13 of his 17 Premier League games against Crystal Palace, and his successor must keep up that fine record here. Glasner’s side will nevertheless have a suitable game plan to use the home atmosphere in their favour.
Yet, their last four meetings have been low-scoring affairs and we could see more of the same. Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
