Game Week 6 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Palace at Selhurst

Liverpool put their perfect record on the line at Selhurst Park as Palace’s discipline and attacking threats aim to halt the Reds’ winning streak.

Jean Phillippe Mateta and Mohammed Salah are two game changers at Palace and Liverpool, how will they both fare on Saturday? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Crystal Palace vs Liverpool

Selhurst Park

3:00pm

Liverpool’s 100% record will be tested at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with Crystal Palace hoping to get something in front of their fans; it will be a cracker.

Crystal Palace is a well-coached team. You see it in their shape, in their structure and in their accountability. Everyone plays for the badge, and they rarely make serious mistakes. It will take more than pedigree for Liverpool to beat them at Selhurst Park.

The Reds have won all their games this season in all competitions. Arne Slot is having an even better second season, and he himself knows they have been left off the hook in many games where they had to come from behind or score a late winner.

Palace showed their grit again in the win over West Ham. You look at the Hammers as a side with weaknesses, but digging out a win when it was even, especially with a goal from Tyrick Mitchel, explains their versatility; Liverpool cannot take them for granted.

It’s an opportunity for Liverpool to see Marc Guehi line up against them after their broken deal in the summer. Liverpool submitted a deal sheet, but the deal still fell by the wayside, partly due to Oliver Glasner’s speech and also due to Palace not being able to find a replacement on time.

Adam Wharton is another player on audition. Liverpool needs another number 6. Ryan Gravenberch is proving to be the best in that role in the league day-by-day; however, the Kops know that an injury to the Dutchman is a major threat to their title defence.

How will they line up? Liverpool will be without Hugo Ekitike after his indiscretion in their League Cup win on Wednesday. Alexander Isak is expected to start after scoring his first Liverpool goal in the 2-1 success over Southampton, while the rest of the starting eleven is expected to be as we were.

Palace will take the battle to Liverpool. They will remain compact, and their shape will be narrow; however, Ismaila Sarr is one to keep an eye on. Yeremy Pino is another player to be wary of; he can be an extra man with pace to trouble Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahim Konate.

Jean-Philippe Mateta will lead the line; his whine gets finer with age, and he could be a thorn in the Liverpool flesh. Defensively, Palace must be disciplined. How they stand against Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo would determine what they get from the game.

Verdict: Liverpool to win.