Aaron’s Wan to watch for the future
OFF THE MARK: Salah scored in the 4-0 thrashing of West Ham on the opening day Last five meetings Overall record AARON WAN-BISSAKA will not be over-hyped at Selhurst Park – boss Roy Hodgson will make sure of it. The Eagles manager has warned against heaping praise on the homegrown right-back (left) to ensure he does not suffer from overblown expectations. Croydon-born England Under-20s full-back Wan-Bissaka broke through last season and excelled in the south Londoners’ 2-0 Premier League win at Fulham last weekend.
And Hodgson admitted that Bissaka, 20, has all the credentials to push towards the top of the game.
He said: “It’s always nice when one of your players has a good game and captures the headlines as a result.
“So I’m very happy for him in that respect. But I still think it’s better for us to be allowing him to continue to learn his trade, continue to prosper, without trying to raise him up on a pedestal to then saw the legs off the pedestal when it suits.”
And ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with Liverpool, Hodgson believes Palace are ready to capitalise on their local talent. He added: “Aaron was very good in pre-season, his opening game was excellent. We believe strongly in him as a coaching staff, we believe he’s got all the qualities needed to become a top right-back.
“But it’s one game and it would be dangerous for us as coaches particularly to start saying that he’s a wonder player after one performance.
“He’s only played eight times in the Premier League but we believe he will get better and better.”
SYMPATHY: Klopp City will be able to cope without the Belgium playmaker.
“They have options with Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, young Phil Foden,” said Klopp.
“Against Chelsea in the Community Shield they were so good and David Silva and De Bruyne didn’t play. You think, ‘Wow’.
“They will obviously be strong again but I wish Kevin, from the bottom of my heart, will be back as quickly as possible.”
In Liverpool’s engine room, £57million capture Naby Keita, 23, could make a similar impact in the Premier League as De Bruyne.
He impressed against the Hammers but their game at Crystal Palace tomorrow night will represent a tougher examination of his skills – and temperament.
While he waited 12 months to seal his move from RB Leipzig he received four red cards for club and country, Guinea.
Klopp said: “Last year was normal with a few nice highlights and a few unlucky red cards. We watched them again, it was just a millisecond late here, too excited there. Young players do that.
“He was worth waiting for. Usually you don’t get a player like him.”
Another addition to the Liverpool midfield, £43m Fabinho, has yet to make his debut.