Ahead of Palace’s trip to Anfield this Sunday, we got the views of Ste Hoare. Ste is the Content and Data Manager of Fresh Press Media. He is also a long-time Liverpool fan and a contributor to our sister site Read Liverpool.
Hi Ste!
Liverpool’s last Premier League encounter saw them grab a massive 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. Just how important is it that Liverpool have a good performance against Palace?
I think it’s vital. We’ve not lost for a long time now, although we’ve drawn a lot of those games. However, we’ve now won our last three games and have looked very good doing so.
The new manager Jurgen Klopp has come in and given everyone a boost, and a loss this weekend would dent the confidence somewhat.
After a disappointing start to the season, we’re playing catch-up a little bit, so we need to be looking for all three points in the majority of home games.
Klopp now has a selection headache when it comes to strikers – A returning Daniel Sturridge, an in-form Christian Benteke and a young Divock Origi – who starts against Palace?
I’m not sure Sturridge will be ready to play in the game, and Origi has really struggled when deployed up front on his own. If he’s fit,which he should be *touch wood*, it’ll be Benteke who starts.
He was brilliant when he came on against Chelsea and if he plays in the same way, he’ll be a handful for Palace.
Palace bring a lot of flair to the table against any side, and love a game against Liverpool – are you feeling more confident ahead of this game now, than you would have if Brendan Rodgers was still in charge?
Definitely. I liked Brendan and he did a decent job, but by the end, things just fell apart and he lost the backing of the fans. Anfield had become very moody and it was only a matter of time before he was sacked.
Klopp’s arrival has rejuvenated everyone connected to the club, and the atmosphere at the stadium feels much more positive.
On the field, the personnel hasn’t changed too much, but the shape as. We play either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1 and look to win the ball back quickly and attack. It’s worked well against Chelsea and FC Rubin and will hopefully work against Palace too.
If you *had* to sign two Palace players, who would you grab and why?
I’d take Yohan Cabaye tomorrow. He’s a top, top player. Palace did really well to get him. I think he’d do a really good job for us, and his set-pieces would be a bonus.
Secondly? Probably Dwight Gayle just to stop him scoring against us twice a year!
Any pre-match score predictions from yourself?
Tough one this. I think it’ll be a close game, but I think we might just nick it 1-0 with a Benteke goal.
