Crystal Palace’s preparations for their upcoming clash against Liverpool have taken a major hit after a devastating injury update revealed that as many as eight first-team players could be unavailable for selection. This development has left manager Oliver Glasner with a potential selection crisis ahead of what promises to be one of their toughest fixtures of the season.
Liverpool, who are pushing hard to maintain their title challenge, will head into the game in red-hot form, and the last thing Palace fans would have wanted was an injury crisis of this magnitude. The injury list now paints a concerning picture for the South London club, which has already been battling for consistency in recent weeks.
Among the names expected to miss out are key defensive pillars Joachim Andersen and Marc Guéhi, both of whom are reportedly nursing knocks that have kept them from full training. Their absence would force Glasner to shuffle his backline against one of the most potent attacking trios in the Premier League. Palace’s defensive stability has been one of their strengths, and losing their two most reliable center-backs could be catastrophic.
In midfield, Cheick Doucouré and Jefferson Lerma are also doubts. Doucouré is still recovering from a long-term Achilles problem, while Lerma picked up a muscular injury during the international break. This leaves Glasner short of options in the middle of the park, where Liverpool’s pressing and quick ball movement often decide games. Without their first-choice midfielders, Palace may struggle to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm and control the tempo.
The injury woes extend to the attack as well, with star winger Michael Olise still sidelined due to a hamstring injury that has troubled him for much of the campaign. His creativity and dribbling ability have been sorely missed, and Palace’s attack has looked blunt in his absence. Eberechi Eze, another creative spark, is also nursing a minor muscle strain and remains a huge doubt for the game. If both Olise and Eze are unavailable, Palace could lack the flair and unpredictability needed to trouble Liverpool’s defense.
Striker Odsonne Édouard is another possible absentee after suffering a knock in the previous match. His potential unavailability leaves Glasner with limited options up front, as Jean-Philippe Mateta would be the only senior striker fully fit.
While Glasner has praised the commitment of his squad and insisted that fringe players will have to step up, there is no denying that this injury update has significantly weakened Palace’s prospects. Liverpool, under Jürgen Klopp, thrive against opponents who are missing key players, and they will look to capitalize on Palace’s makeshift lineup.
For Palace, this game now becomes a test of resilience. The home crowd at Selhurst Park will play a vital role in lifting the team’s morale, and Glasner will need a near-perfect tactical plan to compensate for the absentees. With eight players potentially missing, this could turn into an uphill battle – but Palace have upset the odds before and will be hoping to do so against
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