Pierre Sage's job is on the line when Crystal Palace welcome Liverpool to Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Palace have endured a dismal start to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign under the stewardship of Pierre Sage -- earning just seven points from nine games -- and they need to avoid defeat in South London this weekend to avoid being in the relegation zone heading into the international break.
Winning four, drawing three, and losing two of their opening nine fixtures, Liverpool's start to the season has been mixed. Both of their league defeats have come with controversy, with many contesting the first of Ryan Gravenberch's two yellow cards that led to his dismisal against Manchester City and Reds -- including captain Virgil van Dijk -- suggesting that they should have been awarded a penalty against Arsenal for a shirt pull on Alexander Isak.
In spite of their 1-0 loss against the reigning Premier League champions, victory at Selhurst Park would see them head into the two-week break no lower than fifth in the standings, a respectable position given the vast amount of change in the last 12 months or so.
Palace are not awash with squad depth, nor quality, at present, and so Sage will likely be looking at a similar XI to deliver a result on Sunday afternoon.
Sage will be forced into making at least one change to the front line following Jean-Philippe Mateta's dismissal against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. This could see fit-again Jorgen Strand Larsen -- who returned to the matchday squad in the Europa League on Thursday night -- lead the line.
Axel Disasi was reportedly dropped for Palace's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim for being late to a team meeting and it will be fascinating to see if the defender is recalled for this fixture.
Ismaila Sarr, who boasts an impressive record against the Reds and was subject to interest from the Merseyside outfit in the summer, is set to miss out with a groin issue.
As for Liverpool, expect changes from the XI that started in their 3-2 defeat against Fenerbahce in midweek.
Full-back pairing Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez are expected to return to the XI in place of Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas.
Despite an impressive spell in the team, Trey Nyoni may be rested after starting all of the Reds' last three fixtures in all competitions. This could see Florian Wirtz return to the midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, who has only recently returned from injury.
Cody Gakpo assisted Isak to momentarily give Liverpool the lead in Istanbul on Wednesday, and the attacking duo are likely to return to the starting XI this weekend. Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz could be the two that make way.
It's yet to be seen as to whether Ryan Gravenberch will be passed fit after a heel injury, while Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are certain to miss out.
Predicted Crystal Palace lineup
Dean Henderson, Chris Richards, Axel Disasi, Jaydee Canvot, Anan Khalaili, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Tyrick Mitchell, Yeremy Pino, Dwight McNeil, Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Predicted Liverpool lineup
Alisson Becker, Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak.
