Liverpool will look to get their first win of the 2022/23 Premier League season when they host Crystal Palace at Anfield on August 15, 2022. The Reds failed to get their title challenge off to a perfect start as they drew their season opener 1-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool Starting Lineup for Monday Night Clash Against Crystal Palace
Back home 🏡
Our first @PremierLeague outing at Anfield in 2022/23 awaits, as we take on Crystal Palace! 🔴 #WalkOn | #LIVCRY pic.twitter.com/R984PfBAlJ
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2022
How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently
Jurgen Klopp’s side started the season with the familiar shape that they have maintained for the last few years, a 4-3-3 attacking formation with a trademark high-press. Roberto Firmino surprisingly started up front alongside Mo Salah and Luis Diaz. The set backline of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Andrew Robertson operated behind the midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho.
However, it didn’t work as well as they would’ve hoped for, as Fulham repeatedly beat their press, won the ball in key areas and exploited their weaknesses. Liverpool only started to tap into their groove in the second half when new signing Darwin Nunez entered the fray, but, despite a goal and an assist for the 23-year-old, he could only help his team to a hard-fought draw.
Liverpool Injuries to Consider
Not only did Liverpool drop much-needed points against Fulham, but the squad also suffered several injuries too. Thiago suffered an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for up to six weeks. Matip is also a doubt for the clash against Crystal Palace as he sustained an injury that kept him out of training.
Several other injuries plague the squad. Midfielders Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both currently sidelined for the foreseeable, as is forward Diogo Jota, who is expected to be out with a hamstring injury for a “few more weeks”. Back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is also out with an injury issue, along with centre-back Ibrahima Konate who suffered a knee injury in the pre-season friendly against Strasbourg. Fortunately for Liverpool is that Jurgen Klopp confirmed Naby Keita and Kostas Tsimikas have returned to training and therefore could make an appearance against Crystal Palace.
A goal and an assist on his @premierleague debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/b3sGchY1aj
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 6, 2022
Predicted Liverpool Starting 11
Klopp should make around three changes in his starting lineup for the Crystal Palace game, with some being forced and others necessary. Harvey Elliot can come in to replace Thiago as he has impressed when playing in central midfield recently. Firmino’s poor outing against Fulham means he could be benched for this one and Nunez should get his first Premier League start on Monday night too.
Joe Gomez is now the only fit centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk, so he’s in line for his first start of the season. Other than that, all the players who started against Fulham should play here. Most of the eyes will, predictably, be on the Salah-Diaz-Nunez trio for this one as they hope to record their first three points of the season at Anfield.
Liverpool predicted starting lineup: Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Harvey Elliot; Mo Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez.
