By
Ailsa Cowen
BBC Sport journalist
- Published4 minutes ago
Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game againstLiverpoolat Selhurst Park (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Jean-Philippe Mateta's absence through suspension: "Mateta was injured at the beginning of the season and there was the opportunity for Jorgen Strand Larsen and Eddie Nketiah to play. 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."
Sage added: "We need them in the play, we need them to press and we need them to score, to finalise the offensive play. Jorgen showed that againstIpswichand against Lech Poznan - that's why we know he's able to score. Eddie scored againstFulhamand against Lech Poznan too. Eddie is able to play as a number 10 too. We will see what will happen on Sunday, but we have some solutions."
On Larsen's fitness: "He didn't play on Thursday because the scenario of the game was not positive for him to have the possibility to let him play. I think he's able to play 60, 75 minutes and with the head and the stamina, maybe he can push this."
On Ismaila Sarr, who has not featured since 22 October after dealing with a groin injury: "He will come back after the international break."
On Palace's inconsistent start to the Premier League season: "It's difficult to find the good things over a long period, because when we started to do things in a good way, some bad things emerged." He added: "In this period, I don't want to blame the players because I'm always behind them and I have a lot of confidence in them. They will continue the work and build the things."
On the improvements needed from his side: "I work on a lot of uncertainty about the way we play. But I have to deal and to change the things to improve all. I keep the confidence in our work because I see the players working every day in a good way."
Sage said facing Liverpool is "a big challenge" but added: "It's maybe the opportunity to create something special for this group."
Asked about Liverpool's mixed recent results, Sage replied: "I'm not in a good position to comment. I have to be respectful with this club. They lost againstArsenaland Fenerbahce. Every game is different and we have to create a good condition from the beginning."
Listen to full match commentary of Crystal Palace v Liverpool on Sunday onBBC Radio5 Live and BBC Sounds
