AliousCrystal Palace Face Injury Concerns Ahead of Liverpool Showdown at Selhurst Park
Liverpool’s trip to Selhurst Park on Saturday is shaping up to be one of the weekend’s marquee Premier League clashes. The champions arrive with a perfect record under Arne Slot, while Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace continue to impress in their own right.
Palace Riding High
The Eagles are unbeaten in 17 matches across all competitions, most recently securing a 2-1 victory away to West Ham. With nine points from five league outings (two wins, three draws), they currently sit fifth in the table and carry genuine momentum into the meeting with Liverpool.
Palace also have history on their side. Despite Liverpool’s strong start, Selhurst Park has often been a difficult venue for them. The Eagles have lost only twice in their last seven encounters with the Reds, a run that includes their penalty shootout triumph in the Community Shield after a 2-2 draw at Wembley.
Pino Injury Cloud
However, Palace’s preparations have been dented by uncertainty over **Yeremy Pino**. The summer signing from Villarreal was forced off at half-time in the win over West Ham with a knee problem.
Glasner confirmed after the match:
> “He had pain in his knee. We don’t know exactly what it is, so we’ll assess him tomorrow, and I think we’ll have a scan. Hopefully it’s not too serious, but he couldn’t continue playing.”
Pino’s dynamism and creativity have been key since his arrival, and his potential absence would be a major setback against the champions.
Injury Picture: Boosts and Setbacks
There is some positive news for Glasner, though. **Adam Wharton** returned from a groin issue to start against West Ham, offering composure in midfield. **Ismaila Sarr** is also expected back in training after recovering from a hamstring problem, raising hopes he could feature on Saturday.
On the downside, goalkeeper **Walter Benitez** remains out, while long-term casualties **Cheick Doucouré** and **Chadi Riad** are still sidelined. Even so, the prospect of Sarr returning to the squad provides a timely attacking lift.
### Champions Braced for a Battle
Liverpool, flawless so far under Slot, know they cannot underestimate Palace. The Eagles’ resilience, form, and knack for troubling the Reds in recent seasons make this a significant hurdle in Liverpool’s quest to maintain their 100% start.
For Palace, despite injury doubts, the fixture offers an opportunity to underline their progress under Glasner. For Liverpool, it is yet another early-season test of focus, consistency, and their ability to break down one of the Premier League’s most stubborn sides.
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