Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League title were severely damaged when they unexpectedly lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Oliver Glasner’s team’s early advantage was secured by Eberechi Eze. Although Jurgen Klopp’s squad made a valiant effort to equalise, their profligacy in front of goal proved costly, with Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah among those guilty.
Palace had opportunities to take the lead; Jean-Philippe Mateta saw one shot brilliantly stopped by returning Alisson and another one pushed off the line by Andy Robertson, but they were not in need of a second. Their three points move them up to 14th place, above Brentford.
But Liverpool will suffer more serious repercussions. This was an opportunity to get back to the top of the Premier League rankings, having began the day in third place. Rather of keeping up the pace, they run the risk of losing steam, making Klopp’s last season potentially disastrous.
How Palace denied Liverpool
Liverpool were hoping to bounce back from their loss to Atalanta, but Palace got out to a faster start, with Eze putting Alisson to the test in the opening minute of play. After a deft play that saw Tyrick Mitchell find him from the left, he did not have to wait long to find the net.
Eze was a true threat when Michael Olise was back in the starting lineup, but Mateta, the massive striker, nearly doubled the lead shortly after. The Palace player had his chance, but Robertson’s goal-line clearance stopped him from taking it.
Despite creating opportunities, Liverpool looked ragged at times during the first forty-five minutes. Wataru Endo cleared the ball against the crossbar, and Dean Henderson made a great save to keep Luis Diaz off the scoreboard. However, Palace continued to threaten a counterattack.
Dominik Szoboszlai replaced Endo in Klopp’s attacking halftime substitute, and minutes into the second half, Conor Bradley’s injury forced him to switch to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool gave Palace everything they had, and opportunities began to fall.
Darwin Nunez missed a fantastic opportunity to tie the score close in by striking the bouncing ball directly at Henderson. Even after Klopp substituted Jota and Cody Gakpo, Palace was still under increasing pressure to score an equalising goal.
Jota had a fantastic opportunity after Szoboszlai put him up, but Nathaniel Clyne stopped his meek attempt. Mateta pounced on Joachim Andersen’s knockdown to set himself up for an easy chance at the other end, but Alisson managed to divert it wide.
It was desperate play, and the misses continued to come. Jones, in a one-on-one with the custodian, misdirected his attempt. Even prior to the match, there were doubts about Liverpool’s finishing, but this was blatantly inefficient.
Liverpool’s Europa League quarterfinal second leg takes place in Atalanta on Thursday, April 18.
On Sunday, April 21, they will play their next Premier League match at Fulham, live on Sky Sports. Three days later Liverpool travel to neighbours, Everton.
On Sunday, April 21, Crystal Palace will play West Ham in the Premier League.
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