Liverpool’s terrible week just got worse.
A shock 1-0 defeat to struggling Crystal Palace has dealt a blow to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of a second Premier League title. Following the 3-0 Europa League defeat to Atalanta on Thursday, the season is in danger of running out.
We analyze the main topics of conversation at Anfield…
Is that the end of title hopes?
Even the most pessimistic minds on Merseyside would have struggled to imagine Liverpool’s week going as bad as it has.
After the 3-0 defeat at home to Atalanta, a result that leaves progress to the Europa League semi-finals hanging by a thread, another ruinous setback has made a Premier League title even more unlikely.
Liverpool’s unconvincing form has been masked by a late comeback, but Crystal Palace’s resolute performance in a 1-0 win has dealt a potentially fatal blow to Jurgen Klopp’s goals of signing off on a league title.
Something close to perfection was needed in the run-up given the brilliant form of Manchester City and Arsenal, and this unforeseen defeat, Liverpool’s first at home in the Premier League since October 2022, has undermined all faith.
Liverpool have another six league games left to respond, but winning in all of them may no longer be enough. Liverpool have seen the backs of Manchester City in title races before and expecting favors rarely works.
A season that promised so much has collapsed resoundingly in just four days.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace match boardshowing how Klopp’s team missed glorious scoring opportunities
Why do Liverpool play so slowly at the start of games?
A recurring pattern at Liverpool’s home games is dragging this season’s aspirations off course.
They have been sloppy and lethargic starters, and opponents have been allowed to strike first. Crystal Palace were the last to take Liverpool’s breath away as they took a 14th-minute lead thanks to Eberechi Eze. It was a very well-worked goal by the visitors but another unfortunate episode of Liverpool’s defensive work, which began without a hint of intensity.
Eze capitalizes on Liverpool’s poor start (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
It was the 21st time in 51 league and cup games that Klopp’s team had conceded first, and the sudden absence of a clean sheet continues to make even routine matches seem to undermine chances.
You have to go back to December 17 and the 0-0 draw to find the last Premier League visitor (Manchester United) who failed to score at Anfield and, since the beginning of February, Burnley, Luton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Palace they have done. They all scored goals in the first half at Anfield.
Defensively poor again, and the situation does not improve.
How did Liverpool miss those opportunities?
Liverpool are still far from their best level, but the wasted chances in the second half were inexplicable. There were four huge chances for four different players but, most importantly, no goals.
Darwin Nunez, often wasted as the focal point of Liverpool’s attack, set the tone when his close-range effort was parried away by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Substitute Diogo Jota was another guilty player, blocked by Nathaniel Clyne following a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai. Neither Henderson nor Clyne should have been given the chance to deny Liverpool.
It had begun to look like a damaging afternoon when Curtis Jones found himself one-on-one with Henderson, and a shot sent wide of the goal did little to alter the situation.
Mohamed Salah, discolored all afternoon, then added his input to Liverpool’s horrible afternoon in front of goal, when his late shot was blocked by Tyrick Mitchell.
It all combined to undermine Liverpool’s hopes of putting pressure on their title rivals.
Was Robertson the only spark?
In a tired team performance marked by misplaced passes and wayward positions, Andy Robertson consistently outperformed the mediocrity around him.
The Liverpool left-back played with an energy and drive that most of his team-mates struggled to find, galloping forward down his flank to stretch a patched Palace defence.
A deep and inviting center to Luis Díaz was about to achieve the tying goal, except for an excellent save by Henderson. In the first half, Robertson looked as threatening as any Liverpool attacker.
But the Scot’s defensive work was even more important. With Palace already a goal ahead, Robertson had the awareness and pace to cover the defense and clear Jean-Philippe Mateta’s shot off the line. Goal-line technology showed Robertson had been the savior… by inches.
…and throws the ball over Alisson, followed by Robertson.
The ball seems to be passing the line…
…only for Robertson to clear his head.
…with goal-line technology showing he stayed away by inches.
Liverpool’s left side always looked much safer than the right, where Palace routinely targeted Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate with attacks flooding down that flank.
Robertson, winner of the Premier League in 2020, was the experience Liverpool were crying out for.
What did Jürgen Klopp say?
The Liverpool manager could not hide his disappointment as he faced only his second league defeat at Anfield in front of fans since April 2017.
“Talking about this game is really complicated,” he told Sky Sports. “The first half wasn’t good enough, so we reacted. The reaction was that we lost the conviction of the last game. We tried to get rid of this but it didn’t work as much as we wanted.
“Conceding that goal was a horrible goal to concede with a player completely free in the area. That can’t happen but it happens. Crystal Palace didn’t have many more (chances) and we controlled it better and then in the second half we can easily say if we don’t score with these chances, what can you say?
“The second half was much better, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) came on and at that moment the structure changed. We caused problems and we had big, big opportunities. If we stayed here and won the game 4-1, we could have seen the same game with a completely different result. But we didn’t do it, so we have to accept it.”
What’s next for Liverpool?
Thursday April 18: Atalanta (A), Europa League, 8 pm UK, 3 pm ET
Liverpool are known for their European comebacks, but they will have to produce something special even by their standards if they are to overturn a 3-0 deficit in the Europa League quarter-finals against Atalanta.
If he fails, this will be the last European game of the Klopp era… but if any manager can inspire change, it’s probably him.
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(Top photo: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
