Manchester City and Arsenal fans would have been left rejoicing as they watched Liverpool suffer a shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in their Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon. Anfield fell silent as Palace clinched a stunning victory away from home as a dreadful week came to a miserable end for Jurgen Klopp and his players, having lost badly in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
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Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes suffered a huge blow as they were beaten 1-0 at Anfield by Crystal Palace.
The Reds missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League, as Eberechi Eze’s first-half strike gave the visitors a much-needed victory to move them eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Palace were winless in their 13 previous Premier League meetings with Liverpool. However, a positive start at Anfield saw them take a 14th-minute lead when Tyrick Mitchell cut the ball back for an unmarked Eze to slot past Alisson.
The Eagles almost doubled their lead four minutes later when Virgil van Dijk’s slip allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta to race clear on goal and dink over the onrushing Alisson, but Andrew Robertson did magnificently to clear off the line.
Liverpool sought a response as Wataru Endo hit the crossbar and Luis Diaz’s acrobatic volley was kept out by Dean Henderson, who also did well to block a fierce Darwin Nunez strike after the break.
The Reds dominated proceedings in the second half but, try as they may, the equaliser continued to elude them.
Nathaniel Clyne and Mitchell denied Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah on the line, while Curtis Jones sent a golden chance wide as the destiny of the Premier League title slipped from their hands.
TALKING POINT – LUCKLESS LIVERPOOL LOSE GROUND IN TITLE RACE
A second home defeat in the space of four days – and first in 29 Premier League games at Anfield – has put a real dent in Liverpool’s title aspirations.
The Reds dominated large periods of the contest with 69.9 per cent of possession, 21 shots and an xG of 2.87.
However, a combination of poor finishing, solid saves and wonderful last-ditch blocks meant they were beaten without scoring on home soil in the league for the first time in three years.
The fact they are not watertight at the other end of the field is also becoming a real issue. The Reds are now on their joint-longest streak without keeping a clean sheet at Anfield (nine games).
Now two points behind Manchester City – possibly three should Arsenal beat Aston Villa later on – with six games remaining, Klopp needs favours from elsewhere if he is to bow out a two-time Premier League winner.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – JOACHIM ANDERSEN (CRYSTAL PALACE)
Palace took a huge step towards extending their 11-year Premier League stay with an incredibly timely first win in six matches – and first in 12 on the road.
They had not won at Anfield for seven years either, but a huge defensive effort from the likes of Andersen paved the way for the Eagles to end their wait.
An immovable rock in the heart of defence, the centre-half made a game-high 14 clearances to keep Liverpool at bay.
Palace have a tough run-in with matches against the likes of West Ham, Newcastle, Manchester United and Aston Villa to come. Although, Glasner’s side are now eight points clear of the relegation zone, and can breathe a lot easier as a result.
PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool: Alisson 8, Bradley 6, Van Dijk 7, Konate 7, Robertson 8, Jones 6, Endo 6, Mac Allister 7, Salah 5, Nunez 7, Diaz 7. Subs: Szoboszlai 8, Alexander-Arnold 6, Gakpo 7, Jota 7, Elliott 6.
Palace: Henderson 8, Munoz 8, Andersen 9*, Lerma 8, Clyne 8, Wharton 8, Hughes 7, Mitchell 8, Olise 7, Mateta 8, Eze 8. Subs: Ayew 6, Ward 6, Riedewald 6, Schlupp 6, Edouard N/A.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
14' – GOAL!!! LIVERPOOL 0-1 CRYSTAL PALACE (EZE): The Eagles lead at Anfield as their positive start pays dividends! A lovely exchange of passes down the left culminates in Mitchell pulling the ball back for the unmarked Eze, who calmly slots a first-time shot past Alisson.
18’ – OFF THE LINE: Shades of Steven Gerrard a decade ago as Van Dijk slips and allows Mateta to race clear on goal. The in-form striker delicately lifts over the advancing Alisson, but Robertson does magnificently to clear the ball off the line in the nick of time. That is a huge let-off for Liverpool!
27' – OFF THE BAR: After Andersen turns Robertson's cross behind, Palace struggle to deal with the subsequent corner. It drops for Endo, whose shot loops against the crossbar.
29' – GOOD SAVE: Robertson, who has been Liverpool's most influential player so far, is involved again as he delivers a delicious ball to the far post. Diaz goes for the spectacular as he meets it with an acrobatic volley that Henderson does well to push away to safety.
56' – CHANCE: From a Liverpool corner, the ball drops kindly for Nunez, whose ferocious close-range volley is somehow kept out by Henderson. Although the equaliser eludes them for now, that will encourage the Reds.
72' – WHAT A BLOCK: Liverpool steadily make their way into the box and Hughes' intervention inadvertently puts the ball on a plate for Szoboszlai. With Henderson out of goal, he squares it for Jota, who is somehow denied by Clyne's superb block.
74' – WHAT A SAVE: How did Alisson keep that out?! A long free-kick into the Liverpool box is flicked on by Andersen, but Mateta's volley from three yards out is somehow deflected over by the Brazilian's outstretched arm.
75' – WHAT A MISS: Liverpool can suddenly counter and Jones is bearing down on goal. He only has Henderson to beat, but sends his shot wide much to the disbelief of their fans. It is just not happening for them at the moment.
90+1' – GREAT BLOCK: The ball drops to Salah in the six-yard box, but his goalbound volley is somehow turned away by Mitchell.
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