Preview for Crystal Palace v Liverpool
The traditional curtain-raiser to the new Premier League season will be tinged with sadness this year with Liverpool playing their first competitive game since the death of Diogo Jota.
It will cast a cloud over the occasion and the Reds’ entire season as they look to build on what was a wonderful first year in charge for Arne Slot.
The mourning won’t stop but the football will gradually take centre stage, starting on Sunday against a Crystal Palace side that will relish a return to Wembley, four months after they stunned Manchester City to win the FA Cup.
Slot is already eyeing more silverware with which to kickstart the season.
“It’s nice if you can start the season with the chance of winning something,” he said.
“Normally you have to play numerous games before you can win something. If it’s the League Cup, FA Cup, let alone [the] Premier League or Champions League, normally you win something in the end of the season. Now we have a chance to win something in the beginning of the season.
“Unfortunately, we face a very good Crystal Palace that have been very difficult to win against for us, because we played 1-1 against them in the last game of the season. They showed in the last final – and even in the semi-final, by the way, as well – how difficult it is to win a one-off game [against] them. I think most of the players that they have are still there, so even more reason to know what a difficult team it is to play against.”
Some of Palace’s delight at winning their first major trophy has been overshadowed by UEFA’s decision to demote them from the Europa League to the Conference League for breaching multiclub ownership rules.
Palace’s appeal will be heard at the Court of Arbitration today and a verdict announced on Monday.
Whatever the outcome, boss Oliver Glasner is eager for everyone to look forward now.
He said: “We’ve had a good summer but in football – and not just in football but in life, also – the past is gone.
“We have great memories that will stay with us forever, but that won’t help us when the new season begins.
“Now is not the time to lie back and say, great, we are the Cup winners. It’s about defining new goals for us and aim to have a better season than we did last season.”
Team News for Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is likely to be on the bench after returning to pre-season training later than his team-mates due to injury while defender Joe Gomez is unavailable.
Palace will be without striker Eddie Nketiah after he injured a hamstring in the pre-season friendly against Augsburg.
Expected line-ups for Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Lacroix, Guehi, Richards; Munoz, Mitchell, Wharton, Hughes, Eze; Sarr, Mateta
Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike
How to watch Crystal Palace v Liverpool: TV and online streams
Crystal Palace versus Liverpool kicks off at 3pm on Sunday afternoon. You can watch it on TNT Sports 1 from 2pm. It can be streamed on the discovery+ app.
Stats for Crystal Palace v Liverpool
- Liverpool took four points from Palace in their two Premier League meetings last season, winning 1-0 at Selhurst Park before a 1-1 draw at Anfield
- This is Liverpool’s 25th appearance in the Charity/Community Shield. They have won 11 outright, shared the trophy five times and lost eight. Only Manchester United (31) have played in the fixture more.
Prediction for Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Liverpool’s team could have four debutants in it and it may take them some time to gel.
Palace have a more settled line-up and we fancy them to get a draw which would see the game go straight to a penalty shoot-out.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Liverpool
