Pierre SAGE of Lens during the Ligue 1 match between Paris FC and RC Lens at Jean-Bouin Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Paris, France.
Pierre SAGE of Lens during the Ligue 1 match between Paris FC and RC Lens at Jean-Bouin Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Paris, France.
Two sides in need of a response meet at Selhurst Park on Sunday. Crystal Palace are in the relegation zone and struggling for form, while Liverpool have lost consecutive games for the first time this season.
The Reds’ difficult week began with a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal before they lost 3-2 to Fenerbahce in the Champions League, despite taking the lead twice in Istanbul.
However, their away form in the Premier League offers some encouragement, having won their last three games on the road this campaign.
Pierre Sage, appointed in the summer after leaving Lens, is already facing growing pressure from supporters. Palace sit 18th with seven points from nine games and have lost their last three league matches by at least two goals, including a 5-0 defeat to Brighton and a 2-0 loss to Tottenham.
With Jean-Philippe Mateta suspended following his red card against Spurs, Sage is expected to turn to Jorgen Strand Larsen and Eddie Nketiah in attack.
Strand Larsen recently returned from injury but was an unused substitute against Hoffenheim on Thursday. “As you know, JP was injured at the beginning of the season,” Sage noted.
“There was the opportunity for Jørgen Strand Larsen and Eddie Nketiah to play. That’s why he will miss [the game], but we have to deal with it. We have big confidence in the other players.
“They’ve shown they are able to play and they are able to compete. We need them in the play, we need them to press, we need them to score, to finalise the offensive play.
“Jørgen showed that against Ipswich and against Lech Poznań, that’s why we know he’s able to score. Eddie scored against Fulham, he scored against Lech Poznań too, and Eddie is able to play as a No. 10 too. That’s why we will see what will happen on Sunday – but we have some solutions.”
With regards to Strand Larsen’s fitness, Sage noted: “He didn’t play today because the scenario of the game was not positive for him to have the possibility to let him play. But I think he’s able to play 60, 75 [minutes] and with the head and the stamina, maybe he can push this.”
And on Ismaila Sarr, who has not featured since October 22 after combatting a groin injury earlier in the season, the manager added: “He will come back after the international break.”
Andoni Iraola has faced Crystal Palace six times, recording three wins and three draws. Liverpool have won 36 of their 67 meetings, while Palace have lost nine of their last 11 home games against the Reds.
However, the Eagles won 2-1 at Selhurst Park in the league last season and also eliminated Liverpool from the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory at Anfield.
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