Liverpool 0 – 1 Crystal Palace – Dissecting the Reds’ Shameful Performance

This was a game that should have been dispatched with relative ease, however, a culmination of pressure and fatigue appears to have seen the reds stumble when many assumed they would soar. The defeat (in hindsight of course) can be no surprise, as success in the initial year of this v2.0 regeneration was always going to be a near impossibility, especially if anyone expected a full title challenge back in August of 2023.

Below is how the team lined up, with match details following.

Liverpool’s Starting XI

Alisson Becker, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (c), Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endō, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz

Subs

Dominik Szoboszlai – Waturu Endō (45 mins), Trent Alexander Arnold – Conor Bradley (52 mins), Diogo Jota – Luis Díaz (65 mins), Cody Gakpo – Darwin Núñez (65 mins), Harvey Elliott – Curtis Jones (82 mins)

Goals

Liverpool 0 – 1 Crystal Palace

Eberechi Eze (Tyrick Mitchell) 14 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession – Liverpool 70% – 30% Crystal Palace

Total Shots – Liverpool 21 – 8 Crystal Palace

Crosses – Liverpool 50 – 5 Crystal Palace

Corner Kicks  – Liverpool 11 – 1 Crystal Palace

Counter Attacks – Liverpool 2 – 4 Crystal Palace

Goalkeeper Saves – Liverpool 3 – 5 Crystal Palace

The First Half

The opening period of this game was almost as bad as the Atlanta game, with the visitors showing more desire to impact the game than their more illustrious hosts. Liverpool was not bad, yet the opening goal (conceded of course) was all too easy and again showed the current poor form of Ibou who was absent in his marking for the goal.

Wataru Endō was largely anonymous, as he seemed tired and ineffective against a well-rested foe. The opportunities for the reds did present themselves on various occasions, with the Japan captain and Luis Díaz both spurning brilliant chances to level the contest. Unfortunately, too much rhythm was lacking, which led to a repetition of build before the fall, until the referee blew for the break.

Alisson Becker had of course returned to the fold, only for his teammates to let him down with a 0-1 half time deficit.

The Second Half

On resumption of the second half, Dominik Szoboszlai emerged in place of the ineffective Endō, with a more aggressive looking midfield implemented for a fight back. The initial stages were good and progressive, as play quickened before some good Palace defending, blocked or stunted the growth of the growing Anfield attacks. The sad part of the early half was the worrying injury to young Conor Bradley, who departed the field to a suspected season ending injury.

The incoming replacement was none other than the club’s vice-captain, Trent Alexander Arnold, who received a rapturous ovation upon his own return from injury. The immediate positivity was intoxicating, as the world class hybrid demanded the ball and drove forward with venomous intent. Further alterations came along the way and it seemed only a matter of time before the game would be levelled.

Darwin had a superb chance before leaving the field for Diogo Jota, who himself had a glorious pair of opportunities to put his team on the scoresheet. Mohamed Salah has not been mentioned thus far, as his defensive shackling made him almost irrelevant to the contest. As the moments ticked painfully away, realization of defeat could not be averted and despite another game where more than enough chances had been created, Liverpool fell to yet another disastrous result, one which may have cost them the title.

Final Thoughts

This was a game that should not have been a problem, yet another horrific result was created by an ineffective display. The pressure and pitfalls of such a cavalier system of play are becoming apparent, which may have ended the hopes of an incredible Premier League charge.

Arsenal lost at home to Aston Villa (0-2), therefore, the hope is that Manchester City can drop points along their own path, or nothing the reds can muster will matter come May. The footballing cycle within Liverpool FC is fast approaching the end and a new dawn awaits, one that is surely primed to conquer and make moments like today’s, a mere painful memory. Jürgen Klopp has overachieved since he arrived on Merseyside and will depart with a plethora of trophies, against all the odds. Today, and probably this season, may limp to the finish line, but it was a hell of a ride getting there.

Pre-game prediction;

Liverpool 2 – 0 Crystal Palace

Steven Smith