Overview
- Liverpool have lost two straight matches, conceding a 3-2 defeat in Istanbul to Fenerbahçe and a 1-0 loss at Anfield to Arsenal, leaving the side needing a response at Selhurst Park.
- The club takes one of the Premier League’s highest shot totals but creates very few clear opportunities, with only about 8% of attempts from inside the six-yard box and the second-fewest 'big chances', a pattern that depresses expected goals and goals scored.
- Iraola has told his players to be more direct and to 'throw numbers inside the box', and he trialled Bradley Barcola as a central option in midweek while stressing Barcola’s primary role is on the wing.
- Alexander Isak has carried Liverpool’s goals this season and the manager says putting him into closer scoring positions is the best way to convert the team’s attacking volume into goals.
- Ryan Gravenberch is a doubt for Sunday because of a heel problem that is being assessed daily, and Iraola has also highlighted that Liverpool have conceded more fouls than any other Premier League side while winning comparatively few free-kicks.