Crystal Palace attacker Andros Townsend says weathering Liverpool's "full throttle" start will be key to their clash this weekend.

The Reds are clearly fast starters — eight of their 28 league goals have come in the first 15 minutes of each half.

"It's incredible, I think they make a conscious effort each half to go full throttle for the first 15 minutes," Townsend told the Premier League website.

"They suss you out for the first 15 minutes and they did that against Manchester City. Even though they were not playing well, they found themselves 2-0 up."

He continued: "You know you're not going to get much possession.

"You know you will have to defend for 90 minutes, even as a winger.

"My main priority is that I need to be a defender first. If we get counter-attacks, I will attack.

"If you defend well and take your chances at the other side you can definitely pull off a shock, as we have proven many times before."