The Premier league leaders, yes, the league leaders, will be facing another early Saturday kick-off to Jurgen Klopp’s delight this weekend as they take on Crystal Place at Selhurst Park.
After a monumental performance against the team that was on top of the league in midweek Liverpool are finally back where they belong even with their injury crisis.
Tottenham Hotspur were meant to be Liverpool’s biggest threat to their crown, and they could not get near them on the pitch, they were dominated from the first minute to last and just because they had some big chances does not mean they were the better team even if Jose wants you to believe otherwise.
But that massive win will mean nothing if Liverpool cannot build on it on the weekend against a Crystal Palace team who have so far had an inconsistent season.
To build on the win Klopp’s men will have to do something they have not done at all this season; win an early kick off.
The two draws against Everton and Brighton arguably really should not have been draws but more concerning than the early kick off form is the away form in the league.
If the table were based on solely away games Liverpool would sit in a sad 16th place on only seven points.
Jurgen Klopp addressed this in his press conference for the game saying: “It’s a little bit about opponents away, and we were slightly unlucky in one or two games. But outside is the truth. We haven’t won away a lot.
“We try to change these things and put a shift in. Playing the best possible football is always the plan home and away and tomorrow we try again.”
As well as this he gave a fitness update on some of the players who have been out injured.
Thiago Alcantara was pictured out on the Kirkby training grass and Klopp confirmed that he is still not in first team training but is making his way back soon.
He also said that it is the same for Xherdan Shaqiri and James Milner so it’ll be a nice early Christmas present if they are ready within the next week or it could be an eagerly awaited late Christmas present if they come back for the Newcastle game on the 30th.
So, Crystal Palace will come too early for that trio but the likes of Joel Matip, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be ready to join in the fun.
Matip, who missed the Tottenham game, was pictured in training and Keita was going to come on in the last seconds against Spurs but did not get the opportunity.
Also, The Ox was looking very sharp in a training video on Liverpool’s social media accounts and with the Tottenham game only being a few days ago it would be great to see some appropriate changes so there is again no more injuries.
Two players who have featured in every Premier League game so far are Andy Robertson and Gini Wijnaldum with the pair playing every minute of league action in every league game apart bar the Merseyside derby.
Klopp was asked about their reliability in his press conference and then knocked on his head and the table in front of him.
One of the best managers in the world being superstitious now means that everyone should be if it means these two very special players stay injury free.
Robertson’s back up’s Tsimikas and Milner are both out so it is hard to see anyone else come into replace him but for Gini it would be good to see him have a deserved rest with Keita or Oxlade-Chamberlain grasping a chance.
However, there is eight days until the next game after Palace so do not be surprised to see the Dutchman start again alongside Jordan Henderson and man of the match on Wednesday Curtis Jones, what a player the scouse lad is turning out to be by the way.
Unfortunately for Palace inform striker and former Liverpool man Christian Benteke is suspended for the game after two ridiculous yellow card decisions given by David Coote.
Another ex-Liverpool man Nathaniel Clyne may get the chance to play after being rested in mid-week against West Ham in which Roy Hodgson’s side drew 1-1.
A trip to Selhurst Park then never an easy one but Liverpool proved last year in this fixture that they can always pull the rabbit out of the hat, just like on Wednesday.
Written by Elliot Thompson
