Arne Slot shares Michael Olise admiration in honest Crystal Palace verdict

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Arne Slot is a fan of former Crystal Palace player Michael Olise, who has been linked with a possible transfer to Anfield as a replacement for outgoing legend

Michael Olise was mentioned during Arne Slot's pre-Crystal Palace press conference

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot name-checked Michael Olise as he praised Crystal Palace's current team ahead of this weekend's Premier League meeting at Anfield.

The Reds can take a huge step toward Champions League qualification with victory on Saturday, and in Palace they will face a side which has more pressing matters on the horizon.

Palace faces Shakhtar Donetsk away on Thursday in the first leg of the Europa Conference league semi-finals – and also played on Monday this week – so Oliver Glasner could rotate his side.

Previewing this weekend's game, Slot praised Palace's current side, while also speaking highly of the players that shone for the Selhurst Park club in previous years.

"Palace has a very good team just like a few years ago," Slot said. "Guehi went to Man City, Eze, Olise - who is now making a good career for himself at Bayern Munich. And of course, a top manager who is able to bring in a lot of discipline. It is very hard to create chances against Palace.

"I think Palace has conceded the least amount of goals after Arsenal and City. That tells you a lot and that is because they hardly concede a chance."

Liverpool fans will have enjoyed hearing Slot praise Olise, considering the links between the Reds and Olise which have emerged in recent months.

There is set to be a spot up for grabs on Liverpool's right flank next term after Mohamed Salah announced in March that he will leave at the end of the season.

Salah's announcement saw the speculation linking the Reds with a move for Olise intensify, although there has been no suggestion yet that the 24-year-old is eyeing a move away from Bayern.

Arne Slot praised Palace's current team as well as its former players(Image: LFC)

Following an Olise masterclass in Bayern's Champions League win away to Real Madrid earlier this month, Reds legend Steven Gerrard admitted that he would "love" to see Olise join Liverpool in the summer — but does not see that happening.

“[I would take Olise at Liverpool] all day long but the problem is, why would he leave Bayern Munich?" Gerrard said.

“[They’re a] big club, they’re challenging for the big honours, probably the strongest Bayern Munich team we’ve seen for a while.

“He’s about to take the World Cup by storm come the summer. He looks like a really happy kid, settled.

“I don’t think he’s going anywhere, but yes, I would love him at Liverpool. And you know what, I wouldn’t mind [Luis] Diaz back as well.”