The pressure is off against Liverpool, claims Townsend

Liverpool head to Crystal Palace this weekend, looking to keep up their incredible start to the season.

The Reds hold an eight-point lead over Leicester City and Chelsea going into Saturday’s action, as well as a nine-point advantage over Manchester City.

Selhurst Park is a tough place to visit, however, and Jurgen Klopp’s side will have to play well to get the better of the Eagles.

Palace have a reputation for upping their game against the bigger sides, with Liverpool occasionally on the receiving end of a defeat in recent years.

Speaking on The Season so Far, Andros Townsend claims not expecting to beat the top teams works in his side’s favour:

I think that’s why historically we’ve always done well against the top sides because the pressure’s off.

You go into those games thinking if you lose nobody is really going to criticise you or doubt you, so you’re going into that game free, you can show the world what you can do and I think for me that’s exciting, and that’s why [this] week in training we won’t be nervous, the pressure’s off and hopefully we can go and pull off a shock.

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Liverpool actually have a good record at Selhurst Park of late, despite losing there in 2014/15 and blowing a 3-0 lead the previous season.

On paper, Klopp’s men should be too strong for their opponents, but it is likely to be a tough afternoon.

It could have a similar feel to the recent ugly away wins against Sheffield United and Aston Villa, with Liverpool having to break down a stubborn rearguard, in front of passionate home supporters.