Topic: Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace [Saturday 19 August, K.O. 15:00]

[Qston]

I didn't see any of palaces opening game but with their new manager I will be interested to see if they are trying to change their style to less direct. If they are then it will surely play into our hands.

I hope Milner starts at left back but other than that I wouldn't change much.

Good to have a Saturday 3 pm kick off as well. Doubt there will be many this season !

[CallumLFC]

This Palace team isn't fit for De Boer's style. Remember under Holloway a few years ago, they were soft as anything before he resigned.

We really should score 3 or 4 and that should be enough. Even with how bad we are at the back, they shouldn't score more than 2.

[TepidT2O]

They are not injured, giving rest days.

The day before a match?

Seems odd.

Anyway, we could lose Mané more easily than Can.  Stick Sturrudgecup front, Salah and Firmino behind, and then Hendo Gini and Milner in midfield..

[Fordy]

Karius, Klavan, Gomez, Milner, Grujic, Solanke, Origi - these have been the subs for the last 2 games

I would drop Gomez replace with Kent
Drop Origi replace with Danny (if fit)

We need subs can make a difference to a game.

[Phil_88]

migs
trent matip klavan robertson
emre milner wij
salah studge bobby

[princeoftherocks]

would love it if sturridge tried to make a statement of footballing intent, as he sometimes does.  He can be the difference, as we've all seen before, between winning and losing.  a fully fit sturridge.  A fully fit sturridge..........

[Fitzy.]

Looking for a morale boosting thumping tomorrow...and I sense it as well.

I enjoyed James Richardson's take on Trent Alexander-Arnold: "Has he become the first three names on the teamsheet?"

[wemmick]

Hope to see Gomez (RB) and Grujic tomorrow. The squad will look a lot deeper if they can get a few a chances early in the season and take them.

[rojo para la vida]

I think this is going to be a good result for us. Going in to a game with a bit of hilarity is always a good thing. (Barcelona's offer for Coutinho.  )

[Suareznumber7]

The day before a match?

Seems odd.

Anyway, we could lose Mané more easily than Can.  Stick Sturrudgecup front, Salah and Firmino behind, and then Hendo Gini and Milner in midfield..

Could be a change of formation as well if Sturridge is fit and able to play from the start.  Maybe a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. Firmino at the tip of the diamond with Origi and Sturridge up front which would give both Mane and Salah a rest.  Hendo, Milner, and Gini in midfield. 

[vicar]

Resting any player other than Moreno in this match would mean disaster. This team has 0 depth.

Also I expect, Sturridge will not start because he has no match practise.

I think Sturridge will be on the bench. I expect it will be the same team as last time out, with maybe Milner in.

[pyroparty]

Joyce saying Mane unlikely to start. Luckily we've got loads of boss wingers ready to come in! 

[sms1986]

Joyce saying Mane unlikely to start. Luckily we've got loads of boss wingers ready to come in! 

Where did he say that and did he say why?

[Lynndenberries]

I'm expecting Sturridge to start up top with Salah.

[Lynndenberries]

Where did he say that and did he say why?

Just a precaution apparently

[sms1986]

Just a precaution apparently

Some were saying earlier that he might be rested, so it should be fine.

[SerbianScouser]

I'm expecting Sturridge to start up top with Salah.

Firmino, Salah and Sturridge is still an awesome front 3. If we get an early goal it could be a very long afternoon for Palace.

[John C]

Thank you Crosby Nick (seems so strange and too civil calling you that). Indeed, there's no gloom expected here mate, I anticipate an eventual comfortable win. For the knobs among us, I mean at the end of 90 minutes not 20 minutes - eventual

[Chakan]

Why is Mane missing the Game?

[him_15]

Quite confident with this game, should crush them comfortably.

[tommy LFC]

Where did he say that and did he say why?

I'm assuming because he's coming back from a serious injury and missed the start of pre-season. Probably don't want to risk him playing 3 games in a week so soon.

[RogerTheRed]

What time do the warm ups start usually? Is it like 230? Not seen one in years but need to be in in time for it tomorrow.

More like 215 mate

[ac]

Rumours are that mane and AA are out - our best to players thus far. If that's the case the natural replacements don't look ideal - Gomez a centre back and Kent an unproven teenager. The lack of depth in our squad after last season is maddening

[bird_lfc]

Not worried about this. Think Palace will struggle to adapt to De Boer's playing style

3-1 Liverpool.

[JD.]

Mane not starting this as well then. Sigh.

Second game of the season and already no Coutinho, Lallana and Mane. But apparently the squad is strong enough.

I'd go the diamond. Expect we'll see Firmino shoved out wide.

[nellyp]

If Mane is being rested (3 games don't forget) then that is fine. I thought we bought Salah as cover for him. Kent steps in as the cover for Salah. No TAA then Gomez comes in or I imagine we could even put Milner there (or even Can). They can already play full back and will be on the right side of the pitch.

I think this is the ideal game to give the squad players game time as CP are adjusting to a new style of play, and it means fresher legs for midweek

Come on Liverpool. I think it will be 3-1, slipping from 3-0 in the last minute lol

By the way I don't even know who are in the squad, so this is completely off the top of my head

[nellyp]

Mane not starting this as well then. Sigh.

Second game of the season and already no Coutinho, Lallana and Mane. But apparently the squad is strong enough.

I'd go the diamond. Expect we'll see Firmino shoved out wide.

I'd prefer Firmiho dropping back a bit and bring Solanke in for a game

[Souness1]

First home game of the season and our squad is being tested, what a fucking shame. With whats available I would go;

Mignolet

Milner
Matip
Klavan
Moreno

Can
Wijnaldum
Firmino

Salah
Solanke
Origi

I can't watch the midfield trio of Hendo, Gini, Can any longer and definitely think Firmino could do a job in the Lallana role. We need something different in there.

Don't fancy Gomez at RB either if TAA is out, at least Milner has some proper experience as a full back.

Don't think it will be an easy game. Il say a nervy 2-1 win

[RedKenWah]

Initial reaction to Mane not starting was WTF! but moments later it makes sense he's come back from a serious injury and needs to be careful so actually I'll shut up!

Good to see Sturridge back in as well and it'll be an opportunity for Solanke as well.

The one worry I have if Trent Arnold-Alexander is being rested is Joe Gomez. I hope he's not going to make a stupid challenge and give away a needless set piece or something. Hopefully he'll be cool and it's all ends up good!

[Midekima]

Well this is the time where we really see whether Klopp trusts the squad. If he trusts his bench then surely Kent for Mane and Gomez for TAA are the obvious changes.

Or he doesn't trust the reserves evidencing the need to buy more cover and he changes the formation.

Two up front perhaps? Milner on the right?

This match day squad will be revealing.

[keano7]

Feels like a big risk the suggested changes but obviously we don't want to have players burnt out. Simply can't afford to drop pts today as it already feels like we're playing catch up. I hope the lads that come in take their chance.

[Hoenheim]

I really hope Kent starts today if Mane is rested, instead of sticking Origi or Firmino wide.

[Fordy]

Mane not starting this as well then. Sigh.

Second game of the season and already no Coutinho, Lallana and Mane. But apparently the squad is strong enough.

I'd go the diamond. Expect we'll see Firmino shoved out wide.

Not for me.. I would start Kent.

Kent is direct and can beat a man. This is what you need against teams like Palace.

[Fordy]

First home game of the season and our squad is being tested, what a fucking shame. With whats available I would go;

Mignolet

Milner
Matip
Klavan
Moreno

Can
Wijnaldum
Firmino

Salah
Solanke
Origi

I can't watch the midfield trio of Hendo, Gini, Can any longer and definitely think Firmino could do a job in the Lallana role. We need something different in there.

Don't fancy Gomez at RB either if TAA is out, at least Milner has some proper experience as a full back.

Don't think it will be an easy game. Il say a nervy 2-1 win

Origi should be nowhere near the 1st team right now.

[Bend It Like Aurelio]

Gomez in for TAA.
Robertson in for Moreno.
Kent in for Mane.
Milner for Henderson to play in the Lallana role.
Solanke to come in by 70' for Firmino.
Mane to come in by 70' for Salah.
Grujic in for Can if we are winning.

[DHKopper]

Big of a bogey side as of late at Anfield this lot.  Today is the day to lay that to rest. 4-1.

[Red_Irishman]

Shame we have nobody else to come in for Manè, squad is already in tatters and it's only the second game.

Don't think Kent is good enough and not sure he will ever be. I'll be rooting for him if he comes in but not a good sign for things to come.

Jury is still out on Gomez as well. Came in against Watford and made a silly foul in the build up to their last goal I think. Pre injury he looked decent but now not so sure. Willing to give him time for sure but in the first team, although we've little choice due to our inactivity in the transfer market.

[Gerrard-2-Torres]

Hoping for Sturridge, gut tells me Origi.

Danny Ings would be a great third choice striker as well. Wonder how his fitness is coming along.

[Floydy]

no reason we cant dominate these today. Can see us winning comfortably if we can grab the 1st goal.
Palace are poor at the back, and will cave in should we take a lead. Midfield is where we can win the game today. If they are allowed space in midfield they could hurt us on the counter. We need to clever, smother them in attack and stifle when we defend.

[El Lobo]

I'm guessing we'll be using this for pre-match threads for a while yet then