Liverpool’s charge to defend their Premier League crown continues this weekend with a trip to Selhurst Park, where Arne Slot’s side will face Crystal Palace for the matchday six encounter.
Softfootball understands that this is not just another league outing; it is a meeting of the only two unbeaten teams in the division after five matches.
The Reds travel south as leaders of the table, having collected maximum points so far. Their tally of 15 points from five games underlines their clinical start to the campaign, and they arrive in south London brimming with momentum after seven consecutive wins across all competitions.
Their most recent triumph in the EPL was a 2-1 victory in the Merseyside derby over Everton, where new signing Ekitike scored his third goal of the season.
Meanwhile, Slot was able to rotate heavily in midweek during the Carabao Cup and still progress past Southampton. The rotation, however, favoured Alexander Isak, who was able to register his first goal for the Reds on Tuesday night. Watch the goal from the club’s official X handle below:
For Palace, this fixture represents both a test and an opportunity. Oliver Glasner’s side sits in fifth with nine points. While their points return is not flawless, their record remains unblemished with no defeats in the league this term and, more impressively, a 16-game unbeaten streak stretching across competitions.
The South Londoners have built their identity around organisation, discipline, and sharp transitions, and their performance in May, when they held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield, will serve as evidence that they are capable of matching the champions stride for stride.
Adding further spice is the recent history between these two clubs. Six weeks ago, Palace denied Liverpool silverware in the Community Shield, winning on penalties at Wembley after a cagey affair. For Slot’s team, which has otherwise been perfect this season, that shootout defeat stands as their only blemish. Revenge, then, is a natural undercurrent heading into Saturday’s clash, even if the Dutchman will insist his players are focused solely on league business.
Team news
Team news could play a decisive role. Palace are sweating on the unavailability of summer recruit Yeremy Pino, who was withdrawn at half-time against West Ham after complaining of knee pain. His absence would be a blow, though Glasner may be boosted by the return of winger Ismaila Sarr, whose pace and directness are tailor-made for counterattacking opportunities against high-pressing opponents. Midfielder Adam Wharton has impressed and should keep his place, while captain Marc Guehi, who was close to joining Liverpool in the summer window, will be central to Palace’s defensive effort. The English defender has been tremendously vital for the Eagles this season, despite being close to the expiration of his contract.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will be forced into at least one change, with French forward Hugo Ekitike unavailable after his red card in the Carabao Cup win at Southampton. That suspension could see Alexander Isak restored to the starting XI, though Slot may alternatively opt for Cody Gakpo through the middle, flanked by Florian Wirtz. More reassuring for the visitors, however, is the expected return of key figures. Captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and star forward Mohamed Salah were all rested in midweek and should be slotted back into the lineup. The only notable absentee is Giovanni Leoni, who remains sidelined as a result of an ACL injury.
Head-to-head
The head-to-head record firmly favours Liverpool. Of the 67 meetings between the two clubs, the Reds have claimed 37 victories compared to Palace’s 16, with 14 ending in stalemate. Selhurst Park has also been a happy hunting ground for the Merseysiders, who have won 10 of their last 11 visits. That dominance, though, comes with a caveat: six of those victories were by just a single goal, underlining how stubborn Palace have proven to be, especially on home turf.
Given recent patterns, this clash may well be decided by fine margins. Liverpool’s habit of scraping past Palace by one-goal margins suggests Saturday could be another tense affair, potentially hinging on a late moment of brilliance. For the champions, it is a chance to continue their flawless start; for Palace, it is the opportunity to prove their credentials as genuine contenders in the top half of the table. Either way, Selhurst Park is primed for a heavyweight battle.
Softfootball prediction
Crystal Palace 1:3 Liverpool
Crystal Palace’s possible starting lineup:
Henderson; Guehi, Richards, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
Liverpool’s possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
