Topic: Pre-Match Thread - Liverpool V Crystal Palace, Sunday 23 April, 16.30

[MonTheKuyt]

                   

Crystal Palace ay? Or should I not mention them? 

Alright maybe I’ll mention our last result but I promise I won’t say anything about a certain 3-3 that happened on the 5th of May 2014, when in a desperate attempt to build on our goal difference we threw away a 3 goal lead to draw the game, giving up any chance of the title. I absolutely guarantee I won’t mention those harrowing scenes, with Luis Suarez sharing the tears that we all felt at the end of that season, when at times we were odds on to win it… I absolutely won’t mention that game…

Sorry, where was I? Ah yes the 4-2, when we first truly glimpsed those pearly whites of Firmino, and after taking it in turns to score in the early knockings of the game we decided just to finish it off with goals from Matip and Firmino… oh hang on that was when they had Pardew wasn’t it?
Oh god, they have Large Sam now, one of our dreaded nemesis (nemesises? Nemesae?), a nemesis purely because Liverpool have never been able to handle anti-football. And this year it seems that’s a bigger problem than ever, I need not remind you all of where we’ve dropped points this season, and with Grande Sam being one of its main advocates… his team on the rise… taking victories from Chelsea and Arsenal in recent weeks, recovering a 2-0 deficit to draw level with the current champions… Specialising in exploiting fullbacks with Zaha… having a big centre forward, who’s great from set pieces and crosses… Oh god…



I jest, we are back on the up and it’s no secret that one of the key ingredients to Crystal Palace’s recent success has been the divisive Agent Sakho, with Palace fans understandably falling in love with him due to his ungainly but more than effective style of defending. And a good portion of LFC fans arguing that had he not fallen out of favour with Klopp, and remained with our first team we’d not have dropped those aforementioned points, be secure in the top four, and dare I say it… challenging?  Either way there’s no denying that it’s a blessing that he won’t be eligible play against us come the weekend. The hope is not only will they be missing his talent, it will mean a readjustment to their defence and also a confidence blow coming from having their main man out.

On our side with Lallana, Henderson and Mane still out, we could expect a slightly more cautious approach to this match with Milner sitting a little more and not allowing Zaha et al. to exploit our flanks. Although with Lucas reminding us once again how great he can be at guarding our defence (and providing assists of course) and with the apparent lessons learned from our defeats to the lower tier, parked bus teams, shown in recent recent victories over Stoke, West Brom and Everton I think we have a good deal to be positive about. Whilst Origi, Firmino, Moreno, and the reinvigorated Coutinho should be more than enough to do the business down the other end. Might we even see Daniel Sturridge helping us over the line?

So will we see Grosse Sam’s anti-football win out? Nah, course not, we’ll twat em.

Now unless Klopp does another Stoke the most likely line-up will be something along these lines:


Though most likely Can will be wearing his own shirt and not Lucas'.
 

Recent results:

23 Nov 2014   Crystal Palace v Liverpool   L   3-1   Premier League
14 Feb 2015   Crystal Palace v Liverpool   W   1-2   FA Cup
16 May 2015   Liverpool v Crystal Palace   L   1-3   Premier League
08 Nov 2015   Liverpool v Crystal Palace   L   1-2   Premier League
06 Mar 2016   Crystal Palace v Liverpool   W   1-2   Premier League
29 Oct 2016   Crystal Palace v Liverpool   W   2-4   Premier League
   

My prediction?

There’s a chance that some players will kick some good goals, or they might not because the goalkeeper will save the goals and it will be a good or a bad game. The End.


4.30pm Liverpool v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistants: S Beck, S Ledger
Fourth official: M Jones

[Caston]

We'll twat them

[pyroparty]

We'll twat them

Yep, this will probably end up a Crystal Palace worship thread, London clubs on here seem especially popular but we'll batter them.

[Red78]

Without Sakho they're f**ked in my book.

[sms1986]

I think we'll continue our unbeaten run with another win, Sakho being unable to play for them is a boost as he's been great for them so far.

[Phil M]

Close down Zaha and attack their full backs and win.

[Mr_Shane]

Sakho and Dann not available for them means a reorganization of their defense. Sam is probably going to play like Pulis and hit us on the break.

Expect us to need to scrap, but if we keep their front 3 quiet we should win.

[Rhi]

Just win, plz.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

First time in the Kop since I was a wee nipper for this one. I think it's going to be a real cracker. Think Benteke will probably score in all honesty but I fancy us to stick a few past them.

[Carra-ton]

I feel this is a tough one. The crowd will be more nervous than ever, and that might affect the team if we are holding on to a slender lead.
We need to have the concentration levels at maximum, and just keep going.

[sms1986]

I feel this is a tough one. The crowd will be more nervous than ever, and that might affect the team if we are holding on to a slender lead.
We need to have the concentration levels at maximum, and just keep going.

I think the way we beat Stoke and West Brom should give the players and the crowd more confidence.

[tubby]

Zaha, Townsend and Puncheon are going to be a real pain when they break, all quick and capable of carrying the ball a fair distance.  Lucas will need to be at his best to help snuff out anything behind our fullbacks.

[Felch Aid]

Think we'll win 2 - 0.

They know they can't come and play open football.

We won't press either so knocking up to Benteke hoping to nick a goal won't work.

They're on a good run but don't be fooled into thinking they aren't vulnerable.

Sam will put 11 men behind the ball looking for a point.

[G Richards]

Tough game this one, as they have some players who can hurt us, and Zaha has taken his game to another level too. On our end we have plenty of injuries, but the most pleasing thing that is emerging of late is our resilience. For years we've had a soft under belly, but I'm seeing signs that a bit more fight is emerging. What happened in Jan/Feb is still so fresh in the mind that I don't feel like I can fully trust this team yet, but I am seeing some resolve in the players, and that's a very good thing. Need to keep it going.

I don't think this will be easy, but if we battle hard we should claim the three points. We have a week to rest, train, and get up for another match. The players all know the score and know what's at stake, so hopefully they dig deep again.

[Digger2God]

Just realized that this is a home game for us which makes me feel a lot better -- Palace have been playing well recently. Would be a good boost to have Hendo on the bench for this though that is unlikely. No Sakho is good for us.

[sms1986]

Just realized that this is a home game for us which makes me feel a lot better -- Palace have been playing well recently. Would be a good boost to have Hendo on the bench for this though that is unlikely. No Sakho is good for us.

It's likely that Henderson won't be available for weeks yet, or maybe not for the rest of the season, although Lallana should be back for the game after this one at least.

[Phil M]

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Ciine34PhDg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Ciine34PhDg</a>

[vlademer17]

Lucas Hat-trick incoming you heard it here first!!!

[4pool]

4.30pm Liverpool v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistants: S Beck, S Ledger
Fourth official: M Jones

[ScubaSteve]

Just happy Sakho won't be playing! Surely we can beat these more comfortably than West Brom!!

[Petadroli]

Just happy Sakho won't be playing! Surely we can beat these more comfortably than West Brom!!

Actually Crystal Palace has the more talented team than West Brom... They just had a shite coach for most of the year. Benteke, Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend and Cabaye are all very good players on their day and they have found some form under Allardyce. I think it is the hardest game we have left this season.

[NO COUTINHO]

they have a very good front three but that's about it with sakho and scott dann out of the squad. should have a more comfortable win here especially since we're at anfield.

[sms1986]

Actually Crystal Palace has the more talented team than West Brom... They just had a shite coach for most of the year. Benteke, Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend and Cabaye are all very good players on their day and they have found some form under Allardyce. I think it is the hardest game we have left this season.

It seems that every game we play nowadays is the "hardest game we have left" to some people. Pretty sure people said the same thing about our last two opponents.

[Miltonred]

Actually Crystal Palace has the more talented team than West Brom... They just had a shite coach for most of the year. Benteke, Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend and Cabaye are all very good players on their day and they have found some form under Allardyce. I think it is the hardest game we have left this season.

Agreed. Allardyce will be very focused tactically on exploiting our central defensive weaknesses, and Benteke I suspect (who already has a something of a record of scoring against us) will be very up for this game.

We have enough to beat them, and should do so, but I feel we will need to be at our best and taking our chances that day.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

They have 3 players who have pace that can stretch us and hit us on the break, which I imagine Fat Sam will set out to do. I dont see them trying to play an open game.

We will have to be careful. however i do think the last two wins have given everyone a lift.

I wonder if we will stick to 3 at the back

[Brian Blessed]

It seems that every game we play nowadays is the "hardest game we have left" to some people. Pretty sure people said the same thing about our last two opponents.

That's good, it means each week becomes easier and easier

[Miltonred]

They have 3 players who have pace that can stretch us and hit us on the break, which I imagine Fat Sam will set out to do. I dont see them trying to play an open game.

We will have to be careful. however i do think the last two wins have given everyone a lift.

I wonder if we will stick to 3 at the back

I'm unconvinced that Saturdays line-up was 3 at the back. I think it was Lucas playing very deep defensive midfield, dropping in between the two CB's when we were bringing the ball out from defense.
So long as Lucas holds that central defensive role, this is where I think he sits.
You will note that going forward on numerous occasions he was high up the field, which would not be the case if he was the midfield of a three CB line-up.

[Petadroli]

It seems that every game we play nowadays is the "hardest game we have left" to some people. Pretty sure people said the same thing about our last two opponents.

And they were right to say so. Or were the two wins at Stoke and West Brom a stroll in the park? Those were hardfought victories and traditionally very hard places to visit for us. From the five remaining games, Palace is certainly the most difficult game left. Watford are already on the beach, Southampton have a bad record against the top teams, West Ham have been shite at the London Stadium and Middlesbrough at home is a banker. And I haven't even mentioned now that Palace are on a great run of form, just beat the designated champions away from home (which only one other team managed to do this season: us), beat another rival for the top 4 and play the kind of football we just hate to deal with.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

I'm unconvinced that Saturdays line-up was 3 at the back. I think it was Lucas playing very deep defensive midfield, dropping in between the two CB's when we were bringing the ball out from defense.
So long as Lucas holds that central defensive role, this is where I think he sits.
You will note that going forward on numerous occasions he was high up the field, which would not be the case if he was the midfield of a three CB line-up.

Agreed. I think it became three at the back more frequently in the second half than the first because we had a one goal lead. But Lucas actually got on the edge of the box and had a few shots. A lot of people weren't paying close enough attention on Sunday it seems, which is understandable given how nervy the game was.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Agreed. I think it became three at the back more frequently in the second half than the first because we had a one goal lead. But Lucas actually got on the edge of the box and had a few shots. A lot of people weren't paying close enough attention on Sunday it seems, which is understandable given how nervy the game was.

I noticed that as well, I wasnt necesseraly talking about the West brom game,but Stoke. with Palace perhaps posing the same type of problems we prepared for against Stoke (but with better players ironically despite the different league position)

[rocco]

personally feel our hardest game left .....

any win please.

[diegoLFC7]

Benteke wont get a sniff of the ball. Like lukaku in the last 3 years.

[HeartAndSoul]

personally feel our hardest game left .....

any win please.

Southampton will probably be our hardest game left considering they've raised their game every time we've played them this season. We've not scored against them in the 3 games we've faced them and their players will know a good performance against us will put them on our radar 

Palace we should hopefully beat them quite comfortably (wouldn't say no to a scrappy 1-0 win though). They'll be without Sakho who has pretty much been their best player since he joined them . Their last game without Sakho, they were smashed 4-0 at home to Sunderland 

No Bolasie for them anymore who only seemed to love turning up against us. Keep Zaha quiet and that's half the job done. Matip had Benteke in his back pocket when we faced them at their ground so hoping for a repeat again.

[KurtVerbose]

I absolutely won’t mention that game…

That's 'apophasis' that is.

[Tony19:6]

Any win for me against Fattys 19 century cloggers
 

[Titi Camara]

Snip

Nice one buddy, really appreciate you putting that together

[TepidT2O]

Good OP there

Cheers.

[UntouchableLuis]

We've ground out the last 2. I'd like to see some nice football being played here on the front foot. Think we need to cause them lots more problems than they'll cause us - Firmino and Coutinho are clicking but reckon they can go up another gear and dismantle a side.

[rocco]

Southampton will probably be our hardest game left considering they've raised their game every time we've played them this season. We've not scored against them in the 3 games we've faced them and their players will know a good performance against us will put them on our radar 

Palace we should hopefully beat them quite comfortably (wouldn't say no to a scrappy 1-0 win though). They'll be without Sakho who has pretty much been their best player since he joined them . Their last game without Sakho, they were smashed 4-0 at home to Sunderland 

No Bolasie for them anymore who only seemed to love turning up against us. Keep Zaha quiet and that's half the job done. Matip had Benteke in his back pocket when we faced them at their ground so hoping for a repeat again.

I've watched a lot of Palace since Sakho went on loan , still feel our hardest game left.

[Lycan]

We need to take advantage of the fact they're going to have a makeshift defence when they play us and also that they're a bit shit. Take care of Benteke the same way we took care of Lukaku and cut the supply off to Zaha and we'll beat these.


I'm going for a 3-0 win to the redmen. Yes, that's right. Migs to get back to back clean sheets.