Liverpool will be playing their first home league game of the season when they square off against Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace at Anfield on Monday night. Neither team were able to secure a win on the opening weekend of the 22/23 campaign- the Eagles lost 2-0 to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, while the Reds were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against newly promoted Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool weren’t quite at their best against the Cottagers, who have returned to the top flight after winning the Championship last season, and fell behind after 32 minutes as the prolific Aleksandr Mitrovic put the hosts ahead. Neeskens Kebano very nearly made it 2-0 as he hit the post, and Klopp was forced to bring new summer signing Darwin Nunez off the bench early in the second half for Roberto Firmino after Fulham had dominated the opening 45.
Nunez’s introduction swung the game in Liverpool’s favour- he drew the visitors level in the 64th minute before Mitrovic’s 72nd minute spot kick restored the home side’s one goal advantage.
The Uruguayan then turned provider as he set up Mo Salah for an 80th minute equaliser, and Liverpool could consider themselves a tad fortunate to come away from the capital with a draw. Fulham had taken five games to hit the ground in their previous PL campaign, but they were up and running in their opening one here, and were very good value for their point.
Palace, LFC’s next opponents, don’t lose often at home- their 2-0 loss to Arsenal here was only the second time this year that they’ve lost a league game at Selhurst Park by two or more goals (the other, interestingly, was against Liverpool!). Patrick Viera’s side are far from the finished package the French veteran would’ve envisaged- they are expected to dip more into the current summer market, but the result could’ve been very different had Odsonne Edouard and Eberechi Eze taken their chances. Neither were able to beat Aaron Ramsdale in the Gunners goal, and a late own goal from Marc Guehi ended the game as a contest.
Liverpool scored three times in both their clashes against Palace last season, winning 3-0 at Anfield and following it up with a 3-1 win at Selhurst Park. The two sides also met in a pre-season friendly in Singapore last month, with the Reds running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah
H2H (last five games between LFC/CPFC)
Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace
Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace 0-7 Liverpool
Liverpool 4-0 Crystal Palace
This is a crucial game for the Reds- three of their next four fixtures after the Palace one are against Man United, ever-improving Newcastle United and bitter rivals Everton.