Liverpool Left Bruised as Crystal Palace Deliver Another Anfield Blow

Crystal Palace’s emphatic 3-0 victory at Anfield in the Carabao Cup was “effectively baked in from the moment the team sheets dropped,” said David Lynch in his post-match podcast, offering a blunt but measured assessment of Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven matches. The reporter’s analysis, delivered from the Anfield press box, framed the defeat as more inevitable than inexplicable.

Selection That Set the Tone

Lynch was unequivocal in his explanation of the result: “Liverpool on the other hand of course go with 10 changes to their starting lineup, a mix of kind of kids and fringe players in the starting 11.” In contrast, Crystal Palace fielded what he described as “a pretty strong 11 and a strong bench… despite making a few changes.”

The outcome, Lynch argued, “didn’t feel surprising on this occasion” due to the nature of the team selections. Liverpool managed only eight shots to Palace’s fifteen, had one shot on target to their opponent’s nine, and an expected goals tally of 0.45 compared to 1.45 for Palace. The gulf in quality and experience told the tale. “A pretty comprehensive win for Palace and then as I say an absolutely deserved one,” Lynch concluded.

Pressure Mounts for Arne Slot

While Lynch didn’t absolve Arne Slot, he offered a surprisingly supportive take on the manager’s approach: “I’m actually going to give Arne Slot a little bit of credit here… I think he deserves credit for sticking to his guns in terms of the team selection.”

Slot’s decision, according to Lynch, was one with upcoming fixtures in mind. “Over the next 11 days Liverpool will face Aston Villa and Real Madrid here at Anfield before finishing off a run before the international break by travelling to Manchester City.” The implication was clear: this was a deliberate trade-off.

That bravery, though, has consequences. “There’ll be no excuses in the next three,” Lynch warned. “If a couple don’t improve over these next three… then I think serious questions are going to be asked of the manager.”

Youngsters Tested, Some Shine

Two players who emerged from the wreckage with credit were Federico Chiesa and Calvin Ramsay. “He just battled didn’t he, a lot,” Lynch said of Chiesa. “All other aspects of his performance showed quality, they showed endeavour, they showed work rate.”

Ramsay, too, impressed. “He wins six out of eight duels, 82% passing accuracy, four clearances, seven recoveries,” said Lynch. Not bad for a player whose last Liverpool start came in 2022. Lynch added, “He did himself no disservice tonight with his performance.”

In contrast, Milos Kerkez’s showing raised concern. “Zero tackles made, zero blocks, zero interceptions and zero clearances,” said Lynch, adding that the left-back’s “passing has been a serious issue since he’s come to Liverpool.” The message was clear: Andy Robertson should be reinstated as first choice.

Bigger Questions Ahead

Lynch acknowledged the potential upside of exiting the Carabao Cup, stating that “going out… can be a blessing in disguise,” particularly given the congested fixture list and injury situation. But he emphasised the conditional nature of that silver lining: “It’s only a blessing in disguise if you go on and win elsewhere.”

With Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City looming, the spotlight is now fully on Liverpool and their manager. “If they lose the next three they’ll be out the Premier League title race,” Lynch warned. “There’ll be no excuses… the pressure is just going to ramp up massively.”

David Lynch’s post-match breakdown offered little in the way of consolation but much in terms of clarity. Liverpool were outplayed and outthought by a sharper Crystal Palace, and now face a critical fortnight that could shape the rest of their season.