Glasner must risk ‘wonderful’ Crystal Palace talent for the first time

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 6: Michael Olise of Crystal Palace looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park on April 6, 2024 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace are back in action this afternoon as the Eagles travel to Anfield to face Liverpool, giving Oliver Glasner a lot to think about when it comes to selecting his starting XI.

After facing Manchester City last week, the challenges aren’t slowing down for Crystal Palace, who come up against Liverpool this afternoon at Anfield

Oliver Glasner will be hoping for a similar level of performance against the Reds as he saw his side achieve against the treble winners however, a different result would be desirable.

Despite losing 4-2 at Selhurst Park to Pep Guardiola’s side, the Eagles showed an encouraging level of desire to test City, falling short to individual brilliance as the visitors walked away with the three points.

Glasner will be eager to see his squad challenge Liverpool at Anfield, where they are yet to lose this season, in what will be a significant test for Palace to overcome.

Crystal Palace team news vs Liverpool – will Michael Olise start?

It’s been a trialling season for Palace, with one of the contributing factors to lack of form being their injury woes.

For the trip to Anfield, Glasner will be without a host of talent, with Sam Johnstone, Marc Guehi, Rob Holding, Chris Richards, Matheus Franca and Chieck Doucoure all unavailable.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi remains a doubt although, there could be a shout for Michael Olise to return to the starting XI after making an encouraging cameo against Manchester City last week.

The manager will have a lot of absences to cover for when selecting his starting lineup to face Liverpool, with there now a significant shout for the boss to start Olise for the first time in his reign.

Michael Olise must now start for Crystal Palace against Liverpool

There has been a lot of precaution over easing Olise back into action gradually after the Frenchman was hurried back too soon earlier this year and suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

Palace have missed the 22-year-old greatly, with his ability to create and score being absent from Glasner’s side since the manager’s arrival in February.

The numbers don’t lie when it comes to what Olise can offer Palace when fit, with him contributing to nine goals in only 12 appearances this season, in what has been a frustrating campaign due to injury.

For the visitors to stand any chance against Liverpool, Olise must surely start, seeing 32-year-old Jordan Ayew drop to the bench to see Glasner select his strongest possible front three for the first time in his tenure.

It will be not only a structured team effort that can give Palace a chance at Anfield but individual quality too, with Olise undoubtedly having the talent to expose the Reds in order to give the Eagles a chance to impose themselves.

Once lauded as “wonderful” by former boss Roy Hodgson, the Frenchman was in excellent form before his injury against Brighton, contributing to eight goals in his five Premier League apperances prior to the disaster at the Amex.

The time is now for Glasner to start Olise, with no test coming as great as a trip to Anfield to face title contenders, Liverpool.

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