Crystal Palace face Liverpool in the first Monday night fixture of the season, and optimism is high at both clubs after fruitful summers and opening day delights.
Liverpool have scored 22 Premier League goals, more than any away side, and have won four consecutive away fixtures at Selhurst Park, and after their demolition of West Ham, Jurgen Klopp will be confident of extending that run.
Roy Hodgson saw his side overcome former club Fulham and faces a few positive selection headaches, with all summer signings available.
The club has also been lifted by the news of Wilfried Zaha’s contract extension, who is just one goal away from surpassing Chris Armstrong as the club’s leading Premier League goalscorer.
So who will do it? Will Zaha break a club record? Or will Liverpool’s three-pronged attack continue to make history of their own?
Let’s take a look at the key issues that could decide the game:
No need for an eagle eye
If Hodgson would have learnt one thing while casting his eye over videos of Liverpool’s thrashing of West Ham, it is that his side cannot afford to offer last year’s Champions League finalists with the space that was given to them by an overwhelmed Hammers outfit.
A narrow defensive line will be an important factor in restricting room for Liverpool’s menacing trio, and therefore the Palace defence cannot begin as openly as they did against Fulham, in which Andre Schurrle and Aleksandar Mitrovic posed a significant threat early on. Youngster Aaron Wan-Bissaka received praise from his manager but faces his sternest test yet against Liverpool’s attack, and will need to adapt to a new defensive style this weekend.
Youngsters in at the deep end
Liverpool were not challenged defensively against West Ham but will be fully aware that Palace represent more of a treat. Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha will test Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson to the maximum, and with Klopp stressing that neither should be left in a one-on-one against the Palace wingers, a deeper backline could be conducive to an effective game plan.
That could work into Christian Benteke’s hands as he looks to unsettle the newly-formed partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, who despite his impressive performance with the Dutchman will face a significant physical challenge against the Belgian.
Goalkeeper watch
As his manager stated, Alisson has little need to transform his game at the moment, but the rugby tackle pads-inspired training at Melwood this week will have handed him a taste as to what awaits at Selhurst Park. The Brazilian will need to be confident in the air, assertive in his box and a vocal presence at the back in the face of any pressure his side faces inside their own final third.
While Alisson may be focusing on brawn, Wayne Hennessey’s will need a repeat of his heroics at Craven Cottage, where he made a total of six saves, to combat the wizardry of Mane, Firmino and Salah, who continue to break records with each passing game.
Zaha in the spotlight
Wilfried Zaha may have started the season with a bang at Craven Cottage, but the pressure has certainly cranked up a notch on the 25-year-old after he signed a new five-year deal last week.
Described as “talismanic” by his manager, Palace’s system will focus on the impetus that he could provide the Palace attack. Hodgson’s system centres on isolating the Ivorian against Liverpool’s fullbacks, and his ability to thrive in these one-on-one situations will likely determine how many chances Palace enjoy throughout the 90 minutes.
Midfield management
Both sides invested heavily in midfield areas and how their new arrivals battle it out against one another could well decide this game.
Naby Keita and Fabinho will be charged with defensive duties and if they screen Liverpool’s backline effectively they will cut out the impact that the likes of Max Meyer could make in feeding Zaha and limiting the latter’s impact.
Cheikhou Kouyate represents the new physical presence at Palace, and how he matches up with the Liverpool defence will give an indicator as to where the match is headed.
