- Palace have the chance to beat Liverpool for fourth time this season
- Must win to keep remain in the chase for European football
- Liverpool’s struggles agaisnt Palace
Oliver Glasner will be hoping that he can get the better of Arne Slot for the fourth time this season, after cup and league success. Palace travel to Anfield to face a Liverpool side who have had an extremely turbulent season.
Palace drew against West Ham on Monday night, and have the chance to give themselves hope of a European finish in the Premier League with a win against Liverpool.
Arne Slot has been under extreme pressure at points, but it now appears that the club have faith in him and will continue to employ him beyond this season.
Glasner looking to go four for four
Palace’s season started with Wembley triumph as Glasner masterminded his side to Community Shield glory. The game ended 2-2 in ninety minutes, with Palace coming from behind twice. Goals from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr led to penalties. Justin Devenny then scored the winning spot kick to get Palace’s season off to a flier.
The next meeting came at Selhurst Park in the Premier League. Palace had led through an early Sarr goal, but looked to have dropped two points when Federico Chiesa equalised in the 87th minute. However, Eddie Nketiah stepped up at the last minute to win the points for the Eagles.
Finally, the Carabao Cup Round of 16 at Anfield. A second string Liverpool team was brushed aside by Palace, with Sarr scoring his third and fourth goals against the Reds this season, before Yeremy Pino crowned off a tantalising win.
Now, attention returns to the Premier League, and Palace have a chance to make it a remarkable four wins against Liverpool in one season.
Catching Liverpool at a good time
In years gone by there never would have been a ‘good time’ to face Liverpool. However, this campaign has been an extremely mixed bag for the Reds, who currently find themselves fifth in the table, having lost two of their last five.
It was derby day delight for Slot’s men last weekend, as they scored a last minute winner to emerge victorious in the first ever Merseyside Derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Reds have conceded seven more goals than Palace in the league this season, and have only lost one less game than the Eagles.
This is a finely poised fixture, with a lot on the line for both Palace and Liverpool. For the hosts, a win would all but guarantee Champions League football next season. Palace have a chance to remain within touching distance of the sides battling for 7th place, but a loss would likely conclude their chances of meeting that target.
In the last ten games between the two sides, Palace are the dominating side. Four wins and three draws, with three wins for Liverpool suggest that Glasner’s men will be travelling North with as much chance as hope of a positive result.
A win would help towards continuing momentum with a gigantic fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk next week.
