Liverpool vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Reds suffer shock defeat
Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace: Eberechi Eze’s early goal was enough as the Eagles claimed a rare Premier League away win at Anfield and Jurgen Klopp’s side surrendered the chance to return to the top of the table
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Liverpool blew the chance to return to the top of the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of winning the title were hit by a shock defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Just days after Klopp promised a response following Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League, the Reds found themselves behind again as Eberehi Eze fired the Eagles into the lead in front of a stunned Kop.
Liverpool missed several chances before half time, with Wataru Endo clipping the bar, but the visitors were dangerous themselves and were inches away from doubling their lead as Andy Robertson cleared off the line.
The returning Alisson kept Liverpool alive in the second half, as Darwin Nunez missed a golden chance from point-blank range, Curtis Jones skewed wide when through on goal and Mohamed Salah’s shot was blocked by Tyrick Mitchell.
Crystal Palace held on to claim a rare Premier League away win at Anfield, but a second home defeat in four days leaves Liverpool now third in the title race behind Manchester City and Arsenal after blowing their advantage.
Liverpool’s title fight left in tatters after losing their nerve and their status as comeback kings
Instead of the fairytale finish, it is increasingly looking like being an anti-climax of an ending for Jurgen Klopp. There was a time when it appeared that he might win trophies in each of his final three games. Eight days ago, it seemed he might sign off with silverware in his last two. After his worst week of the season, it feels as though the celebration will be for his reign, not this year’s achievements.
Because, after stumbling to a draw against Manchester United, Liverpool have dropped five points in two league games. After floundering against Atalanta, they have suffered back-to-back Anfield losses for the first time since 2017. It has proved a disastrous four-day spell: instead of the reaction to Atalanta Klopp wanted, he got a sequel. Eight-and-a-half years ago, Klopp’s first defeat as Liverpool manager was at home to Crystal Palace. If this proves the last, he will have come full circle.
A landmark day for Eberechi Eze, the match-winner, and Oliver Glasner, the manager who has his first major scalp in charge of Palace, was a dismal one for Liverpool. Slow out of the blocks and sloppy, they have lost their ability to mount comeback after comeback.
REPORT:
Liverpool’s title fight in tatters after losing their status as comeback kings
Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace: Ebe Eze scored the only goal to all but extinguish the Reds’ hopes of overhauling Arsenal and Man City
FT - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
A woeful lack of clinical edge from Liverpool today - Nunez, Salah and Jones the biggest culprits of missed opportunities but the sheer volume of them should have yielded at least a goal.
Fine work from Henderson and Andersen in particular to keep a clean sheet.
FT - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
The whistle goes and Palace are celebrating - Liverpool players drop to the ground.
They know the meaning of this result; home form was imperative and they haven’t just failed to win, they’ve lost their first league match at Anfield all season.
And their second at home since Thursday - another desperate day for the Merseysiders.
90+6’ - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
Ayew leads a counter-attack and eats up a few seconds in Palace’s attempts to wind down the game. Lerma is booked for an off-ball incident.
Alisson goes up for a last-minute free-kick...he does have a goal to his name after all. Alexander-Arnold’s delivery goes deep, it’s nodded across goal...and out for a goal kick.
90+3’ - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
A total of 21 shots from Liverpool today, six on target. They’ve hit the bar and had shots saved and blocked from three, four, five yards out. Nothing has gone in though and this scoreline, if they don’t change it, will effectively end their title charge you feel.
They’ll be third, two behind City and with Arsenal still to play.
90’ - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
Incredible - another shot blocked on the line from two or three yards out. This time it’s Jota’s chest-down, it’s Salah’s shot and it’s Mitchell with the block at point blank range.
Odsonne Edouard on for Mateta in a late Palace change. The fourth official’s board shows seven minutes to be added on.
88’ - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
Gakpo does well to find Elliott this time at the far post but again Henderson makes a save from the header. One-way traffic but Liverpool just cannot get the ball over the line.
Into the final couple of minutes - there should be a few added on though too.
86’ - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
Good touch from Jota to free Salah in the box but the Egyptian, who has been poor today, again can’t get it under his spell in time.
Elliott delivers a cross into the box but nobody is attacking it - Palace clear and the Anfield crowd sound their annoyance this time.
82’ - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
Final sub for Liverpool and Harvey Elliott is replacing Jones. The young winger has been excellent off the bench this term - can he impact again today? Liverpool need it, that’s for sure.
Alexander-Arnold tries to find Salah but Andersen is there yet again to clear. From the resulting corner Palace are awarded a free-kick and they continue to stand firm.
78’ - Liverpool 0-1 Crystal Palace
Triple sub for Palace. Schlupp, Riedewald and Ward on for Clyne, Hughes and Eze. Problems with the official’s board means that alteration took quite a while. The Anfield crowd bay their disapporval.
22 goals conceded by Palace after the 76th minute. 27 scored by Liverpool.
Will that be a factor again today?
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