Analysis: Palace have tools to stop Liverpool's perfect start

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 6.

Team analysis: Crystal Palace v Liverpool

This season’s only two unbeaten Premier League sides will meet at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Liverpool enjoy travelling to this part of south London, winning nine and losing none of their last 10 away matches against Crystal Palace.

Yet under Oliver Glasner the Eagles have proved difficult opponents for the champions.

Losing just one of their last four meetings, they restricted the Reds to only four goals during that period.

With fascinating duels taking place all over the pitch and two of the division’s smartest tacticians at the helm, it is set to be one of the matches of the weekend.

Why are Palace so difficult to beat?

Glasner's side have not been beaten in any competition for 17 matches, a run stretching more than five months since a 5-0 loss at Newcastle United on 16 April.

According to Opta Analyst, the first five Matchweeks of the 2025/26 Premier League season suggests Palace's excellent form should have them higher up in the table (see below). 

The Eagles shouldn’t really be fifth, instead, incredibly, they deserve to be top of the league, above Liverpool, who apparently should be in sixth.

Palace's 3-4-2-1 shape is functioning superbly, with each player ideally suited to their role within it.

Glasner's 3-2-4-1 formation v West Ham (A)

In possession, they make the pitch feel stretched, using both wing-backs extremely high and wide.

This opens up extra room in the infield half-space pockets for Palace’s twin attacking midfielders to flourish.

Off the ball they almost always get their distances right too, playing in a highly disciplined, compact way.

The numbers highlight that. So far in 2025/26, Palace have conceded just twice.

Protecting goalkeeper Dean Henderson exceptionally well, he has made just eight saves in five matches.

Liverpool’s Alisson, with four saves made, is the only 'keeper to have played all five matches, who has been called into action less.

PL sides with tightest defences 25/26

How have Glasner’s Palace troubled Liverpool in the past?

Palace beat Liverpool on penalties in this year’s FA Community Shield, following an impressive 2-2 draw at Wembley Stadium.

In a sign of their growing confidence, Palace enjoyed 41 per cent of possession that afternoon, a rise of between nine and 11 per cent compared with their previous three clashes since Glasner took over.

Having proved they can unlock Liverpool with assured build-up play, rather than just counters, Palace may want more of the ball this time around too.

In the move that led to their first-half penalty, Palace played through Arne Slot’s side in a well-thought manner.

Right-sided No 10 Ismaila Sarr pulled away from left-back Milos Kerkez to receive a line-breaking pass from Adam Wharton.

Both centre-backs were occupied by Palace players – Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta – and the latter spun in behind Virgil van Dijk, who had got a little too tight.

Mateta’s power and movement took Palace into the box, where Sarr was later tripped by Van Dijk.

We saw a similar scenario for Palace’s second goal, with Liverpool’s captain drawn towards Mateta.

With both wing-backs high in trademark fashion, Reds left-back Kerkez found himself isolated in a 2v1, with Sarr on his inside and Daniel Munoz on his outside.

By dragging Van Dijk short (circled above), Mateta opened up space for Wharton to play another exquisite forward pass, this time for Sarr to run on to and score.

Creating overloads like this is a key part of Glasner’s approach.

Glasner also guided Palace to a 1-0 win at Anfield during the latter stages of 2023/24.

Tellingly, once again, the decisive moment involved both wing-backs getting forward at the same time.

Tyrick Mitchell’s well-timed underlap took him to the byline, and in doing so he dragged the right-back and Ibrahima Konate towards the ball.

With wing-back Munoz at the far post next to Mateta, Eze joined in to make a 3v2 inside Liverpool’s box that was duly punished.

When they get on to the front foot this weekend, Palace will try to occupy every member of Liverpool’s back four with Mateta, both wing-backs and one of their No 10s.

The key to success will be finding the other No 10, especially if they are not tracked by a Reds midfielder.

The midfield battle: Wharton v Gravenberch

Two of the division’s classiest all-round central midfielders will do battle in this match.

Ryan Gravenberch, despite missing the opening fixture through suspension, has been the standout player in his position so far in 2025/26.

Scoring two great goals against Newcastle and Everton, as well as providing this brilliant through-ball assist for Hugo Ekitike (see below), the Dutchman has been highly influential.

Wharton has matched Gravenberch in terms of chances created, with six apiece, and this type of incisive, accurate pass into Mateta against Chelsea (below) is just the type of ball Slot’s men will need to be wary of.

Both are in good form, but when you look at their head-to-head stats it is Liverpool’s talismanic midfield general who has posted by far the more impressive numbers.

To control the midfield, Wharton is going to need a big individual performance.

Keep your eyes on Mitchell v Salah

Fresh from his excellent volleyed finish against West Ham United last time out, Mitchell will relish his battle with Mohamed Salah.

Watch all angles of Mitchell's incredible goal v West Ham

He has dealt with the Egyptian extremely well, with Salah scoring in just two of his eight starts against the Palace left-back.

Mitchell will get tight and show aggression against the Liverpool superstar, and with 13 successful tackles produced this season (the most of any defender) he will feel his form is strong.

How Mitchell has fared in defence and attack 25/26

The way Mitchell flies forward also has potential to cause a few problems for Liverpool.

He will take up advanced positions, putting pressure on Liverpool’s right-back, who may need support from Salah in a defensive capacity.

If Salah does not track back well enough, Mitchell could have a positive influence in the final third.

Key duel: Guehi v Isak

Alexander Isak is set to make his full Premier League debut for Liverpool on Saturday.

Ekitike’s one-match suspension after red card in the EFL Cup in midweek has left the door open for the Swede to start, and his duel with Marc Guehi looks an especially appetising one.

It looked like these two were both set to sign for Liverpool on transfer Deadline Day, but after his reported moved failed to materialise, Guehi now has the unenviable task of shackling Isak.

Isak scored his first goal for Liverpool to help them progress in the EFL Cup against Southampton in midweek, converting Federico Chiesa’s cutback.

Watch Isak's first goal for Liverpool

It will be only the third time Guehi and Isak have started the same Premier League match, and in both past fixtures the Palace defender scored own goals.

He will be desperate for better luck this time around.

In that last meeting, Palace lost 5-0 in what was their last defeat, with Isak scoring in the second half.

The hosts will be hoping that is not an omen, as they look to become the first side to take points off the champions this season.