Liverpool Predicted XI: Crystal Palace (H)

On Saturday, Liverpool will be looking for their first three points of the season, something they weren’t able to achieve at Watford due to conceding a controversial last minute goal.

However, they go into the game after beating Hoffenheim in their own stadium, bearing in mind they haven’t lost there in 15 months.

It will be the first time Liverpool will be playing on the new turf at Anfield, and they will be hosting Crystal Palace, who were hit for three against newly promoted Huddersfield last weekend.

Under new manager Frank De Boer, it remains to be unseen what direction he will be taking Palace, whether it be traditional long balls and plenty of crosses or if he tries to get them playing a bit more football.

Regardless, Liverpool will need to keep their defence tight, as with Christian Benteke in the opposition, there’s no room for error as the Red learnt the hard way last time Palace visited Anfield.

Here is the starting XI I think Jurgen Klopp will select for Saturday’s tie.

Simon Mignolet

The Belgian shot stopper, until proven otherwise, is the best goalkeeper at the club, and therefore he will line up between the sticks for the Reds.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The local boy, who scored his first competitive goal against Hoffenheim Tuesday night, will be set to continue in the right back role, vacated by Nathaniel Clyne through injury, However, many of us now have the mindset that it’s Trent’s position to lose rather than the other way around.

Joel Matip

There’s not many arguments here, no strength in depth at centre back, and Matip in most fans eyes, is the best centre back at the club.

Dejan Lovren

Like mentioned previously, there is a lack of squad depth, however, there are shouts for Joe Gomez or Ragnar Klavan to come in at left centre back. I feel Klopp won’t experiment in this game. Lovren to start next to Matip.

Alberto Moreno

I’m surprised Moreno is still at the club, and whilst it’s evident he gives Liverpool a threat down the left, he’s simply still a massive risk. It’s a case of potentially the risk out doing the reward. However, I feel Klopp will give Moreno another chance to prove himself, hopefully he can put in a solid display!

Jordan Henderson

His performance against Hoffenheim shown that he really does have a long way to go to reach his level from the 2013/14 season as looked slow on the ball and looked very tired before being brought off. The captain has had a long injury, so I believe Klopp won’t want to disrupt his progression back to full fitness and it certainly wouldn’t help our captain’s confidence in dropping him. Therefore he will play the number six role in what will be Klopp’s favoured 4-3-3.

Emre Can

The German midfielder, I feel, needs to be more expressive in his play. He has everything it takes to be a top player, but we want to see more of him making runs forward. He will line up on the right side of the three.

Georginio Wijnaldum

If I’m saying what I think Klopp will do, he will stick rather than twist but I feel Liverpool do need a fresh change and James Milner would be the answer to that. He added a bit of composure to the midfield in midweek from the bench, something much needed. However Gini to start, and maybe we will see Milner introduced later on.

Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian international has fit in perfectly since his arrival. He now offers the outlet to go long when needed. In the game against Hoffenheim, he started on the right, however ,throughout the game he switched with Mane and went to the left. I can see this being constant throughout the season. Let’s hope he can get at the Palace defence with his frightening pace.

Sadio Mane

Mane, without Philippe Coutinho in the equation, is Liverpool’s best player. With his little bit of intricacy and burst of acceleration, he and Moreno can cause havoc down the left hand side, and coming inside from the left, he will be a constant threat to the Palace defence all afternoon.

Roberto Firmino

Firmino has had a funny start to the season, In both games he’s played, he’s only shown up in the second half. That being said, he offers Liverpool so much on the pressing side, and has that little bit of magic. There have been a few shouts for Daniel Sturridge to start but with his injury, I expect to see him make an appearance off the bench.