Juliette Ferrington
BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield

Joel Gomez is on the bench - he is not going to be risked tonight [from the start] as he is carrying an injury.

So, I'm still making Liverpool favourites tonight because, well, it's Liverpool at Anfield and they're still stacked with talent.

But surely that starting XI, with a few fresh faces, will be a slight lift for Palace. The visitors still have a mighty big job on their hands, mind.

Alex Pewter, Five Year Plan podcast, external

Crystal Palace's Friday announcement an hour prior to kick-off may have greater ramifications than the loss to Arsenal.

Christian Benteke was switching the Premier League for Major League Soccer's DC United.

The Belgian's time at the club has been far from straightforward.

Arriving in a record transfer deal and scoring fifteen league goals in his debut season, Benteke was repaying the decision to put all the team investment into a single striker.

The decline that followed was quick, and whilst he remained dominant in the air, the goal scoring prowess he showed at Aston Villa had evaporated.

His departure seemed inevitable. The club struggled to reconcile an effective target-man used in specific situations with a top-earning player paid like the complete forward he once was.

However, after three lean years, he got his moment of redemption, scoring the winner at the Amex in the 2020-21 season, which may be the lasting memory from his Palace career.

Football often moves on quickly and fan discussion has turned to who may be Benteke's potential replacement.

The prospect of reuniting Patrick Vieira with his former striker at Nice, Kasper Dolberg, has already captured the imagination, but the topic is still up for debate.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport

Patrick Vieira has a lot to think about after Palace’s opening-day loss to Arsenal.

The Eagles started the game slowly but grew into it in the second half. Had they taken their chances it could have been a different outcome.

Taking chances has been an issue for Vieira’s men and something they struggled with last season.

It led some fans to question the reason for allowing Christian Benteke to leave the club, a move that left Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard as the only traditional striking options.

After the match Vieira spoke about the missed chances and the need to bring in new players, stating: “The history of the game is that we didn’t score that goal to get back into the game.

“We had good periods where we should score those goals, especially against a team like Arsenal.

“The organisation and tactically, there is still a lot of catch-up to do. But today, the biggest difference was that we didn’t take those chances that we created to get those points tonight.

“When you look at the squad, you can see that we’re a little bit short on numbers and experience. It will be interesting to bring in different characteristics of players that we have.

“We’re always looking to improve the team, and if we find the right players with the right budget, we will try to do it.

“If not, there are players here who will grow during the season - players who are prepared to work hard for the football club.

“We have to keep challenging those players, keep working well and trying to win football matches.”

Vieira will be hoping that the Eagles can bring in another forward player to help turn these frustrating defeats into points.

Sulaimon Adelekan: Zaha against TAA [Trent Alexander-Arnold] tonight is going to be one to watch. TAA is not known for his defensive abilities but can be very dangerous in the opponent's half and Zaha is always ready for 1v1.

Image source, BBC Sport

Patrick Vieira hopes Crystal Palace can draw inspiration from their win against Manchester City last season and upset Liverpool at Anfield on Monday.

He said: "The game against City we were well disciplined, well organised and we defended well as a team.

"We managed to frustrate them until the kind of moment when we could score that goal.

"Against those teams, it is hard to have possession. We accept that, and we will have to work well as a team if we want to get something from the game.

"It’s about our organisation, how we can be really disciplined, work well and close those kinds of spaces where they can hurt you. If we manage to do that well, it will be important for us to be brave and to take those chances to score goals.

"Going to Anfield and defending for 90 minutes will be tough. We have to play our game and to try to create chances and score goals.

"Against those kinds of teams it’s about taking chances. We have to perform well out of position and we have to accept that during the 90 minutes we will have difficult periods. It’s about being patient and waiting for the right moment to hurt them."

Crystal Palace

You can get the latest on Crystal Palace's transfer links, loads of expert opinion and plenty of fan viewpoints on our dedicated Palace page.

The page is right here

You can bookmark it and come back each day. Or if you are using the BBC Sport app, when you land on the page, hit the bell icon and you'll get Palace notifications.

Liverpool

You can get the latest on Liverpool’s transfer links, loads of expert opinion and plenty of fan viewpoints on our dedicated Liverpool page.

The page is right here

You can bookmark it and come back each day. Or if you are using the BBC Sport app, when you land on the page, hit the bell icon and you'll get Liverpool notifications.

Image source, Getty Images

• Since losing 2-1 to Crystal Palace in April 2017, Liverpool have won 10 consecutive Premier League matches against the Eagles.
• Palace lost their last five Premier League games in a row at Anfield.
• Liverpool haven’t lost their first home league match in any of the last 18 seasons (W14 D4), winning their last nine in a row.
• The Eagles last lost their first two games in a single Premier League campaign in 2017-18.
• Mohamed Salah has been involved in 11 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against Crystal Palace (seven goals, four assists).
• Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi passed to each other 61 times last week, the most of any duo in the Premier League on the opening weekend and 16 more than the next most (45 – Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk).

Jordan Chamberlain, editor of Empire of the Kop, external

Liverpool are running legitimately low on midfielders - and the ones they have at their disposal split opinion.

Thiago is out for a few weeks, following his hamstring injury against Fulham on Saturday, meaning he joins Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita on the sidelines.

Of the fit midfielders, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson will be guaranteed starters, but both lack pace and creativity. Fabinho is world-class but has not been at his imperious best this calendar year despite Liverpool's achievements last season. Captain Henderson was poor at the weekend, but his leadership qualities shouldn't be underestimated.

The third spot in Jurgen Klopp's midfield three is up for grabs, with Keita (after his illness) Harvey Elliott and James Milner competing for selection.

Plenty of fans would prefer the club entered the transfer market for reinforcements, with the likes of Matheus Nunes and Nicolo Barella consistently touted, but the reality is Liverpool are much more likely to buy a midfielder next summer.

Fabinho and Henderson need to step their game up and the player who's selected alongside them must inject some invention and dribbling through the lines into the side. Keita and Elliott are both capable and now is there chance to show it.

Crakkers: I am a little staggered at Klopp’s starting 11. Is he resting players for United? 7 days between games so surely not. We need a statement win tonight. We clearly have more injuries than I appreciated.

Mike Hughes
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

Liverpool’s shortage of fit and available midfielders has led to lots of suggestions from Reds fans that Jurgen Klopp really needs to make a move in the transfer market to buy a proven, top-quality midfielder.

The Liverpool manager has been clear in his assessment of the situation. He can’t just buy players for the "here and now". He has to plan for the future. Any further midfield addition this season, would stunt the footballing growth and limit the opportunities of Harvey Elliot, Fabio Carvalho and Curtis Jones.

The news that Thiago is likely to be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury adds to the injury problems and to the frustration for the fans, as well as Klopp. I think his focus on improving Liverpool’s midfield will centre on a future move for Jude Bellingham. Quite possibly the best young midfielder in Europe at the moment.

The real dilemma right now surrounds who should partner Jordan Henderson and Fabinho for Monday night’s first home game of the season against Crystal Palace. If Naby Keita has recovered from illness in time, he looks likely to be the favoured option.

Liverpool's midfielders shouldn't have to "step up" because Jurgen Klopp expects them to always be at their best regardless of how many injuries there are.

Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Naby Keita all missed Liverpool's Premier League opener against Fulham.

When asked if now is the time for players like Harvey Elliott and Keita to step up, Klopp said: "Harvey played a good pre-season and was really decisive in the games when he came on against Manchester City and Fulham.

"Does he have to step up? Yeah, but like all the others as well. When you start (the season) with eight or nine midfielders then they all have the same chance, so if one is out, who is filling the gap, or is it just the situation?

"We have injuries, but I expect from the boys that over the time we work together, and of course rather sooner or later, they can fulfil their potential and that's what I am looking for.

"Harvey is in a good way, Fabio (Carvalho) didn’t even start and he is in a good way as well. Millie looked sharp when he came on. Does he have to step up? He showed already a lot. Hendo played good at six when we had to move him.

"With the players we have there is still competition for positions. If the boys need that to be at their best it would be new to me. I expect them all to be at 100% and then I make a decision about who is ready for this week and who might be ready for next week.

"It’s not about stepping up, it’s about being the best version of yourself or getting close to that and that’s what all the boys try as far as I see."

Thiago's injury has ramped up suggestions that Liverpool should go back into the transfer market for a midfielder, but Klopp insists they will only do so for someone they know is the right fit...

One player missing today for the Reds is midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who injured himself at Fulham last weekend. His hamstring injury is "not good", but boss Jurgen Klopp hopes the Spaniard will be fit to return in a month.

Thiago, 31, had to be substituted after 51 minutes of Saturday's 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool are already without midfielders Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"We have injuries, that's how it is. It is a question of how long will the players be out," said Klopp.

"Thiago is good but the injury is not good. I read four to six weeks. I would prefer four."

Liverpool make four changes to the side that drew at Fulham. Darwin Nunez replaces Roberto Firmino after scoring on his league debut. Nathaniel Phillips comes into defence in place of Matip, James Milner and Harvey Elliot replace Jordan Henderson and the injured Thiago. Naby Keita makes the bench

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Van Dijk, Robertson, Elliott, Fabinho, Milner, Salah, Nunez, Díaz.

Substitutes: Adrian, Gomez, Keita, Henderson, Tsimikas, Clark, Carvalho, Bajcetic, Van den Berg.

Image source, BBC Sport

Crystal Palace captain Joel Ward returns, with striker Odsonne Edouard on the bench. Michael Olise is fit enough to be picked as a substitute after training this week.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp, Zaha, J Ayew.

Substitutes: Edouard, Milivojevic, Mateta, Hughes, Johnstone, Ebiowei, Plange, Olise, Richards.

Image source, BBC Sport