3 players you should watch in Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

The Reds have made an excellent start to the season with Arne Slot winning eight of his first nine games in charge.

Liverpool will take a tricky trip to Selhurst Park to face a struggling Crystal Palace team on Saturday.

Here are the players you should be watching out for on both sides this Saturday lunchtime.

Ryan Gravenberch

Worth your viewing alone, Ryan Gravenberch has taken the bull by the horns in recent weeks, establishing himself in Arne Slot’s double-pivot.

Gravenberch will be dynamite to watch on Saturday, watch him sell Palace players on dummies and link-up Liverpool’s final third.

The 22-year-old put in an outstanding performance against Bologna on Wednesday night, and was rewarded by the Kop who sang his name fervently.

Gravenberch also put in an assured display in the last Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He won all eight of his duels and achieved a 95% pass accuracy in Liverpool’s attritional 2-1 win.

Gravenberch has just won Liverpool’s Player of the Month award for September, despite having a tumultuous first season at Anfield.

Ibrahima Konate

As is the case with many sports, all too little attention and all too few plaudits are paid to defenders in football. You should pay attention to this one.

Ibrahima Konate is a brilliant all-rounder, if at times a slightly ungainly defender.

He has proved crucial in recent weeks though, and was decisive in Liverpool getting over-the-line against Wolves last weekend.

Konate, 25, scored Liverpool’s first goal against Wolves and finished the game with a 100% tackle rate.

The Frenchman put in a series of important blocks against Wolves, and that’s what makes him so compelling.

Konate continues to make brave, intelligent blocks to thwart opposing shots.

The 25-year-old will be crucial on Saturday, as he and Virgil van Dijk battle the physicality of Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Jean-Philippe Mateta

The key to Liverpool’s success at Crystal Palace on Saturday will depend on whether the Reds can keep Konate’s compatriot in their pocket.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, 27, notched twice as Palace battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Leicester City last month.

The Frenchman struggled in last weekend’s defeat to Everton, and he like many of the Palace squad has disappointed thus far in this campaign, after a strong end to last season.

Mateta was a crucial part of the France team that won the 2024 Olympic gold medal, scoring a 93rd minute equalizer to take the gold medal match to extra time.

He scored 16 goals in 35 Premier League matches last season.

Konate can come out on top though, he has it in him.