Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday knowing that another defeat would raise uncomfortable questions about their progress under Andoni Iraola. After a promising opening to the season, successive losses against Arsenal and Fenerbahce have exposed familiar weaknesses. The international break is approaching, and Liverpool desperately need to enter it with three Premier League points.
There is little reason for panic. Iraola has made genuine progress since arriving in June, particularly in restoring energy and purpose to Liverpool’s football. Yet the past week has demonstrated how quickly optimism can evaporate when concentration disappears.
Crystal Palace, struggling under Pierre Sage, offer an opportunity to recover some momentum. Liverpool must take it.
Crystal Palace’s Defensive Problems Offer Liverpool an Opening
Palace are enduring a miserable Premier League campaign. Sitting 18th after nine matches, with only two victories, they have conceded 21 goals, the worst defensive record in the division.
Those figures reveal a team struggling to cope with significant changes.
The departure of Oliver Glasner, the loss of influential defenders and uncertainty surrounding several established players have disrupted a side that enjoyed considerable success in recent seasons. Sage inherited a difficult situation, and his attempts to maintain a familiar tactical structure have produced little stability.
Playing three central defenders demands mobility, positional awareness and confidence in possession. Palace currently lack sufficient quality in those areas, leaving their defensive line vulnerable whenever opponents move the ball quickly.
Their attacking problems are equally concerning.
Nine Premier League goals in nine matches represents a modest return, particularly when Tyrick Mitchell, a wing-back, is among their leading scorers. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s suspension further reduces their attacking options.
Liverpool should recognise the opportunity.
With Alexander Isak leading the line and Florian Wirtz operating between midfield and attack, Iraola possesses players capable of exploiting Palace’s defensive uncertainty. Bradley Barcola’s pace and Cody Gakpo’s movement could prove particularly damaging against a side struggling to protect the spaces around its back three.
Liverpool Must Eliminate Costly Defensive Mistakes
Liverpool’s recent defeats have exposed a frustrating tendency to manufacture problems for themselves.
Against Arsenal, poor distribution created unnecessary danger. In Turkey, defensive confusion, questionable positioning and failures to attack aerial deliveries contributed to an alarming performance.
These mistakes are particularly irritating because they concern basic responsibilities.
Defenders must communicate. Goalkeepers must make sensible decisions. Players defending crosses must attack the ball with conviction.
Iraola cannot legislate for every individual error, but he can demand greater discipline from a side that has occasionally looked careless when protecting its own penalty area.
There are encouraging signs.
Liverpool’s Premier League away performances have generally been stronger than their displays at Anfield. Victories at Bournemouth and Brentford demonstrated resilience in demanding environments, qualities that will be essential at Selhurst Park.
Palace’s limited attacking threat should make Liverpool favourites, although complacency would be unforgivable.
Allow the home crowd to become involved, concede an avoidable opening goal, and a relatively straightforward assignment could become unnecessarily complicated.
Liverpool have already provided enough examples of that particular failing.
Midfield Selection Presents Iraola With His Biggest Decision
Ryan Gravenberch’s heel injury leaves Iraola facing another significant midfield decision.
The Dutchman is expected to miss Sunday’s encounter, while Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike remain unavailable through longer-term injuries. Jeremie Frimpong is approaching his return from a hamstring problem but will have to wait until after the international break.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are available after returning to the starting line-up against Fenerbahce.
For me, Szoboszlai should start alongside Alexis Mac Allister, with Wirtz operating further forward.
There is a compelling argument for Trey Nyoni, whose development has been one of Liverpool’s most encouraging stories this season. His willingness to receive possession, anticipate opposition passes and move the ball forward has brought valuable energy to midfield.
However, managing his workload remains important.
Young players require opportunities, but consecutive demanding appearances can place considerable physical pressure on developing bodies. Iraola has generally handled his squad’s fitness intelligently, and there is no reason to abandon that approach.
Szoboszlai must now repay the manager’s faith with greater consistency.
Wirtz, meanwhile, deserves a central creative role where his intelligence and movement can unlock Palace’s defensive structure.
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool: Predicted XI and Score Prediction
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk (C), Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
I would favour Liverpool selecting their strongest available attacking combination, particularly with the international break offering an opportunity to reassess fitness levels afterwards.
Isak should provide the focal point, while Barcola and Gakpo can stretch Palace’s defence and create space for Wirtz.
Iraola has earned credit for the improvements already visible in Liverpool’s performances. Nevertheless, the Premier League table will ultimately determine how his first season is judged.
Liverpool remain a side undergoing reconstruction, and expecting an immediate title challenge would be premature. A convincing push towards the Champions League places, however, should be well within their capabilities.
Winning matches against struggling opponents is essential to achieving that objective.
Selhurst Park can be an intimidating venue, even when Palace are struggling. Liverpool must establish control early, avoid inviting pressure and make their superior attacking quality count.
I expect Palace to find a goal because Liverpool’s recent defensive performances hardly inspire complete confidence. Nevertheless, the visitors possess sufficient quality to respond and secure a valuable victory.
Three points would restore some confidence before the international break and provide Iraola with a much healthier platform for the demanding fixtures ahead.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool.