Michael Olise has nine goal contributions in just 12 games this season (Photo: Getty)
Michael Olise is ‘close to starting’ against Liverpool, Oliver Glasner has confirmed as he talked up Crystal Palace’s chances of causing an upset in the title race.
Liverpool host Palace on Sunday, just three days after their woeful 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta in the Europa League.
But Jurgen Klopp has bigger fish to fry, with his side unable to drop any more points in the Premier League as they look to beat Arsenal and Manchester City to the title.
As it stands, the Gunners are top of the table, ahead of the Reds on goal difference, with the Citizens just a point behind the pair.
Meanwhile, Palace have won just one game out of six since Glasner replaced Roy Hodgson, leaving the club just five points above the relegation zone.
Moreover, the Eagles have failed to beat the Reds in their last 13 meetings, 11 of them ending in defeat, so on paper this should be an easy three points for Klopp and co.
However, the South Londoners have been handed a boost ahead of the Anfield trip after talisman Olise returned from a hamstring injury in their last game against City.
Crystal Palace have won just once since Oliver Glasner’s arrival (Photo: Getty)
While he couldn’t prevent Pep Guardiola’s side from winning 4-2, the young winger looked lively off the bench, and Glasner has revealed he could well be in action from the start against Liverpool.
‘He’s closer [to starting] than the week before. He had the whole week training with us,’ the manager said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
‘We’ve had a very good week in training, high quality and a lot of intensity, which is very important because Liverpool are maybe that team in the world that plays with the highest pressure – you never have time.
Palace’s last victory against Liverpool came in 2017 when Christian Benteke scored twice in a 2-1 win at Anfield (Photo: Getty)
‘It’s been a really good week and Michael was part of it, so he’s close to starting.
‘I think Michael can’t win the game alone, but he has a big role, and all the others have a big role. We’ll need a great goalkeeper because Liverpool are a very attacking team, so everybody has a key role and we will show it again that we are competitive as a team.
‘It’s important to be it for 95-100 minutes, performing at our best level, but this week was really good.’
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Glasner also revealed that the versatile Jairo Riedewald is back, which is great news given how depleted the Eagles’ squad has become thanks to injuries.
Injuries have limited Olise to just 12 appearances this season, but he’s made the most of it, scoring six and assisting three so far.
His performances have seen the 22-year-old linked with big money moves to Manchester United, Chelsea and indeed Liverpool.
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