Liverpool had a shocker over the weekend. They are competing for first place in the Premier League in Jurgen Klopp’s last season as manager. However, a shock defeat to Crystal Palace at home has their future hanging in the balance. Klopp was quick to point out the crucial errors that led to the Reds losing 3 key points before the end of the season.
How it Happened
THREE POINTS ON MERSEYSIDE 🤩
🔴 0-1 🦅#CPFC | #LIVCRY pic.twitter.com/Le38W1fbIk
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 14, 2024
Crystal Palace came out firing, putting the Reds on the back foot from the first whistle. Eze, who has been in fantastic form for Palace this season, slotted home a 14th-minute goal at Anfield. And that would be the only goal of the game, as the teams had a tense battle for the remaining 76 minutes.
Reds strikers, like Salah, Nunez, and Jota, acouldn’t find the back of the net for the home squad. Dean Henderson, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, made fine saves to keep the Liverpool players at bay.
That isn’t to say there weren’t chances though. Jota had an open net and fired the ball into a Palace defender. Jones was 1v1 with Henderson and sent the shot wide of the post. Elliott had a bullet header on goal that was saved off the line.
But the chance of all chances was by the man himself, Darwin Nunez. Nunez came into Liverpool with a ton of pressure on his shoulders. And for the first few months, the pressure got to him. He missed easy chances and couldn’t score goals. Then, everything seemed to click and he became a reliable Number 9.
But against Crystal Palace, he couldn’t get the job done.
Klopp was somewhat stunned by the result, but also aware of his team’s mistakes in terms of clinical finishing.
‘We were just not together. Curtis Jones was really going for it, following through, besides that first line which was too far away from each other.’
It seems as though the strikers were disconnected from the midfielders, which created a lack of cohesiveness within the team.
What Now for Liverpool?
So, after they dropped the points at home, what is next for the title contenders? There are only six matches left to play in the 2023-2024 Premier League season. Liverpool will hope that Man City somehow gets a draw or a loss with their remaining matches. Plus, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal needs to have a poor result for Liverpool to feel a bit better about their most recent match.
The Reds need to revitalize their squad if they want to fight for first place. A loss against Atalanta and to Crystal Palace has put the Reds in a worrying slump for the end of the Premier League season.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
