Liverpool FC 1-2 Crystal Palace FC – Post-match reaction
Liverpool failed to overcome the Crystal Palace hoodoo yesterday, when they suffered defeat yet again going down 1-2 to the south Londoners in a pulsating encounter. Philip Coutinho equalised after Yannick Bosalie put the visitors ahead. The Eagles finally claimed a winner through Scott Dann with eight minutes left to break Jürgen Klopp’s winning start to his Anfield career. An injury to Mamadou Sakho after 38 minutes only added to the Reds’ woes.
Vice captain James Milner was left out of the starting line up after suffering a hamstring injury during the midweek victory over Rubin Kazan. Klopp was forced to give a start to Jordan Ibe alongside Coutinho and Adam Lallana behind Christian Benteke in attack. The usual back four of Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno supported two defensive midfielders in Lucas Leiva and Emre Can.
Although Palace started brightly in this match, Liverpool had yet again, the lion share of possession in a game they could and should have put beyond the visitors before falling behind after poor defending twice in succession by Can who it has to be said, didn’t have the best of games and was eventually substituted in the 65th minute. In all honesty, I’m surprised he stayed on that long, but that he did and the hosts paid the price for it.
Overall, I think losing is a bit harsh on Jürgen Klopp and his crew but this performance demonstrates that the team still has some work to do in order to look anything like contenders for anything, let alone the coveted fourth spot in the Premiership. For all the attacking play, they didn’t really threaten that much. Wayne Hennessey was the busier of the two keepers, though and this makes the result all the more galling.
Mamadou Sakho may now face a spell on the sidelines after limping off on 40 minutes having seemingly jarred his knee. From what I saw, this doesn’t look good. Many a time, I’ve seen players in this situation attempt to “run the injury off” only to be later sidelined for six months. I’m at a loss as to why Klopp simply didn’t take the player off for his own good.
Now it seems as if the defence will be down to the bare bones with Jon Flanagan, Kolo Touré and now the Frenchman all out through one injury or another. Dejan Lovren came on as his replacement and to be fair to the ex-Southampton man he put in a good performance overall. Is he a suitable replacement? Not on your nelly. But a replacement he is so we have to be grateful for small mercies.
With Firmino on for Can after 65 minutes, I still really didn’t see much improvement. This was for the neutral a great game to watch. Crystal Palace deserve credit for a game very well played and the second half was literally, end-to-end stuff as both sides sought a winner. Benteke and Lallana both went close, but alas no biscuit. Dan’s headed equaliser from a corner in the dying minutes, was a cruel sucker punch for Liverpool. The kind the recipient only knows about when their taking the gum shield out of his mouth. He wants to carry on but the referee waves his arms to signal the end.
Klopp spoke about believing in scoring after conceding but in this case, it was really too late. This Liverpool team is not ready for the kind of heart and heroics of which the he preaches. Not just yet. Clyne proved this point as time ticked away, blasting wide and handsome from 30 yards when his chance of scoring was summed up in two words “Fat” and “No”. Thus incurring the wrath of the Anfield faithful and the boss alike. A total, utter waste of a good spell of possession for the hosts. So lose they did and the team can ponder this for the next two weeks over the international break.
The 4-2-3-1 structure deployed in this game didn’t really work and I think having three midfielders in front of the defence – against a team like Palace is probably a better way to combat their fast, physical style. When the visitors broke, there was too much space for them to exploit and perhaps another man between the defence and attack would have yielded a better result, or more of a repellant at least.
Full Throttle Football needs a bit more gas at this rate. I wouldn’t describe this result as the wheels falling off but it just serves as a reminder that the resurgence under Klopp needs more time. The effort is there. The desire is there. The intention to getting back into the game after conceding is well and truly there. The future still bodes well with one or two new additions mainly to the defence and attack.
Next up is the unenviable task of facing Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and all the furore that will undoubtedly surround Raheem Sterling’s departure. Another tough fixture to look forward to.Tough but not insurmountable.
Follow us on Twitter: @TheLFCFile
