Liverpool did start the season with a win in the community shield after an impressive 1:3 over Manchester City, but in the opening round of the Premier League season there was a surprise when the newcomer, Fulham with Manor Solomon, stopped them on the way to 2:2. With the main rival Manchester City already with six points after two games, the Reds cannot afford to lose any more points. In a little while they will meet Crystal Palace for the first game of the season at Anfield and hope to get three points for the first time this season in the league (22:00, Sport1).
Jurgen Klopp had to deal with an injury blow already at this stage of the season, when Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara joined the injured list last week. The Spaniard is one of many midfielders who will not be at Klopp’s disposal, when Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be absent, and in addition to Matip, Klopp will also miss the stopper and Ibrahima Konata and the attacking player Diogo Jota. Therefore, the line-up includes the linebacker Nathaniel Phillips and also the 19-year-old Harvey Elliott. Another change in the lineup is dropping Jordan Henderson to the bench and James Milner starting in his place.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace wants to collect first points after losing at home 2:0 to Arsenal in the game that opened the season. Palace have lost to Liverpool in the last 12 meetings between the teams, with the Reds scoring at least two goals in ten of those meetings.