If losing 5-2 to Real Madrid knocked the confidence Liverpool tentatively gained from beating Everton and Newcastle, Saturday afternoon’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace could shatter it. Limp and characterless against a side that haven’t won at home since October, the Merseyside club are drifting. Against a team more lethal than the Eagles, Liverpool would surely have suffered a humbling defeat.
Liverpool made four changes to the side that was drubbed against Real Madrid. They never looked like conceding a hatful of goals here, but they also never looked like recapturing the verve that saw them score twice early against Los Blancos.
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A sloppy pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta in behind the Liverpool defence. He looped his shot at a hospitable height for Alisson, but it was a sign of the threat Palace would pose for much of the half.
At the other end, Andy Robertson’s inventive cross trickled out to Diogo Jota. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward had the freedom of Selhurst Park, but hit it straight into the gloves of Vicente Guaita. Mohamed Salah would carve out another significant chance, but will regret curling it into the keeper’s hands rather than crossing for Jota.
Liverpool’s best opportunity befell the Portugal international. A high cross from Joel Matip fell perfectly for Jota, but he belted his header against the post. It was a gilt-edged chance that could have turned the tide of this clash.
What a STRIKE from Salah, denied by the woodwork! ❌
Palace’s finest chance came to Mateta. A Jeffrey Schlupp run left Alexander-Arnold chasing shadows. His cross found the French striker, but his snapshot hit the bar. It was a pivotal moment and an opportunity spurned by Patrick Vieira’s men.
Harvey Elliott came on in place of Keita for the second half. The midfielder certainly boasts dynamism and he nearly made it tell with a fine ball for Jota a minute after coming on. The forward couldn’t quite reach the delivery though. Palace went close in the early moments of the half too, as Schlupp rose to head narrowly wide.
The frenetic pace of the half continued as Salah curled a shot onto the bar. It was inches away from where Mateta’s first half shot struck the woodwork. Fine margins.
There were fine margins involved too when Michael Olise raced towards the Liverpool box/ He was brought down by Jordan Henderson just before entering the penalty area, and was booked for his troubles.
There is something afoot at Liverpool. Their downfall has gone from concerning to confounding. Klopp will be given time to arrest the slide and he’s earned that time the hard way. No Liverpool manager has achieved more in three decades. But, with no disrespect intended, you do wonder what will become of them if they aren’t beating teams like Crystal Palace convincingly.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
